York Bike Belles

Enjoy our new Wilder Spaces!

As part of our Take the Green Route project, we are improving the biodiversity of 3 community spaces along green routes in York. We are working in partnership with City of York Council and #TeamWilder of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

If you would like to volunteer to help us look after our new wilder spaces, please email takethegreenroute@gmail.com.

And why not try wilder gardening in your own outdoor space, and apply for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Gardening Award? 🙂

Site 1 – Knavesmire Allotment Corner 1 – Greenway

The Knavesmire is an important Green Corridor running south out of York with a popular walk/cycle path along its route. Knavesmire Allotment Corner is a grassy area along the path. In September 2024, the site was surveyed and found to have less than 10 species of grasses and wildflowers.

In November 2024, a group of volunteers mowed, scarified and sowed a meadow wildflower seed mix of over 23 different native species. We also sowed some plug plants, but local rabbits made short work of these (!)

In 2025, the Council has agreed not to mow the site to allow the wildflowers to grow. We will scythe the meadow at the end of the summer and remove the cuttings to best encourage wildflowers the following year. We also reseeded the area for next year’s display!

For local walkers and cyclists, it’s the triangular patch of grass bordering the greenway as you descend the hill from the racecourse towards Bishopthorpe, just before the bench and trees. What3Words location

Keep a look out for the colour and beauty of wildflowers emerging in the new meadow. Will we have more pollinators like bees, butterflies, hoverflies, moths, and more birdlife too? 🙂

Site 2 – Terry Avenue Hedgerow

Terry Avenue runs along the River Ouse Green Corridor south of the city. It’s important for local wildlife. The Avenue is mostly bordered by grassy verges and hedgerows. However, there is a substantial gap in the Terry Avenue hedgerow near Rowntree Park. In November 2024, the site was surveyed and found to have only 10 species of plants in the grassy area, including Himalayan Balsam.

In April 2025, we planted a biodiverse mix of 60 native hedging trees and underplanted with a range of shade tolerant native wildflowers. We left a gap for the existing ‘dog run’ down to the river. There is no longer a view to the river, but have hopefully created a new ‘flower viewing’ area from the bench. We will manage the invasive Himalayan Balsam to prevent it taking over the area again.

For local walkers and cyclists, it is the hedgerow area by the second bench overlooking the River on Terry Avenue as you come from town towards the Millennium Bridge, just past Rowntree Park car park. What3Words location

Keep an eye on the new hedgerow trees, flowers and berries and underlying plants as they develop!

Site 3 – Knavesmire Allotment Corner 2 – Allotment Gate

The Knavesmire is an important Green Corridor running south out of York with a popular walk/cycle path along its route. Knavesmire Allotment Corner is a grassy area along the path. In September 2025, a new site by the Alloment Gate was surveyed and found to have less than 10 species of grasses and wildflowers.

In October 2025, a group of volunteers mowed, scarified and sowed a meadow and light shade wildflower seed mix of over 30 different native species. 

For local walkers and cyclists, it’s the triangular green area with grassland, trees and bench bordering the greenway as you descend the hill from the racecourse towards Bishopthorpe. This new site is at the end of the footpath along the hedge, on the right just before the Allotment Gate. 

Keep a look out for the colour and beauty of wildflowers emerging in the new meadow!