National Nature Reserves

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are areas of national natural interest. There are 224 NNRs in England and they have been created to protect and appropriately manage these important wildlife habitats, whilst also providing a resource for scientific research and recreation.

The National Nature Reserve map shows NNRs in your area.

The Natural England website provides more information on NNRs which offer the best opportunity for visitors to enjoy the wildlife experience.

Local Nature Reserves

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are places with wildlife or geological features of special interest locally and offer people opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it.

The Local Nature Reserve map show LNRs in your area and who manages them.

Local Nature Reserves are declared under section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 by local authorities. There are now over 1,400 LNRs in England, which in total cover over 37,000 hectares.

Further information on LNRs is available on the Natural England’s website where you can find information on the process of declaring and managing an LNR, and how individuals can get involved.

A local authority may consider it desirable or necessary to apply byelaws to a LNRs to protect its scientific interest from potentially damaging activities. These byelaws are confirmed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A Guide to Making Local Nature Reserve Byelaws (PDF 130 KB) is also available.