Despite its small size and unlovely location, behind a petrol station at the end of Ecclesall Road, Sunnybank is the Wildlife Trust’s most visited nature reserve.  But then, that’s hardly surprising, given that this is the only public green space in the area – the only place where people can find trees and tranquillity, and relief from the noise of the ring road.

And there’s plenty to see at Sunnybank.  The pool is surrounded by aquatic and wetland plants, and is home to the common frog, a UK threatened species, several types of dragonfly and pond skaters.  The scrubby woodland, and hedgerows, one with a healthy mix of blackthorn, hawthorn, wild cherry, rowan and grey willow, provide plentiful food and shelter for the many birds that feed and nest here, and butterflies abound on the hay meadow in summer.  Species to be found here include the small skipper, green-veined white, red admiral and common blue, while burnet and cinnabar moths have also been sighted, along with foxes, hedgehogs and pipistrelle bats.

The many visitors to the reserve can also enjoy the eye-catching wildlife sculptures, of dragonflies and other insects, and simply experience a small piece of countryside in the centre of the city.

How to get there

By foot
Sunnybank is within walking distance of the city centre, just outside the inner ring road, between Ecclesall Road and William Street.

By bus
Buses 81, 82, 90, 272 and 273 all go from the city centre past Sunnybank.  For full details phone Traveline on 01709 515151 or visit the website at www.travelsouthyorkshire.com.

By car
There is metered street parking in the area, but parking can be difficult.

• Picnic Area

• Grassland
• Woodland