GENERAL ADVICE ABOUT OUR WALKS
We want you to return home safe, happy and satisfied with your experience. We want to consider your safety and protect you from unnecessary or unreasonable risk. However, we do not want you to feel overprotected – you have a right to willingly accept the risks that might come with the enjoyment you are seeking. You share the responsibility for your safety.
An entirely risk-free environment is not achievable or desirable. However we do all that is reasonably practicable to manage risks down to acceptable levels.

What we do
In planning and organising our walks:
We make an up to date risk assessment taking into account the current nature of the places being visited, any potential hazards in the location, and the physical demands of the route, and minimise the risks to visitors by choosing the safest routes and locations.
Inside the reserve, the routes are waymarked and take into account ongoing quarrying work; where the walks extend outside the Nature Reserve we ensure that Forestry Commission work is not taking place.
We advise potential visitors in advance of the accessibility problems and natural hazards of the activity.
Walk leaders give a brief advisory introduction at the start of the walk.

What you as a visitor should do
You share responsibility for your own safety and happiness on a walk. The leaders will identify themselves and lead the walk, but it is up to the individual to be careful to follow the leader and to know their own capabilities and limitations. The leaders are there primarily to guide the route and provide wildlife information. They may carry a basic first aid kit but they may not have specific medical training. All visitors must be aware they take part at their own risk.
Please check with the organisers in advance that the walk will be within your physical comfort zone. Always stay with the leader, particularly on late evening walks.
Check the weather forecast before setting out, and bring suitable clothing.
On the walk, take special care when crossing quarry and forestry tracks. Always obey any warnings, and stop, look and listen before you cross. Where there is a fence, do not cross it.
When walking, watch out for rough or loose ground, exposed tree roots, and drainage ditches, which may be obscured by vegetation.
Take care when near to ponds. If there is something to look at, stop walking before doing so.
For evening events such as nightjar and woodcock walks, and moth & bat evenings, please bring a torch and additional warm clothing, including hat and gloves.
If you see anything you think is a hazard, please point it out to the leader.

Natural hazards
Insects Insects can be a serious irritant. Consider carrying an insect repellent, and know how to treat bites and stings.
Ticks and Lyme disease
Ticks are tiny blood-sucking insects found in woodland and moorland which attach themselves to passing animals and humans. Some ticks carry infections that can affect humans, the most serious of which is Lyme disease. The highest risk is in late spring and early summer. If walking through rough vegetation during these months, consider taking the following precautions: * Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts – they are easier to see on light-coloured clothes; protect bare skin on arms and legs with insect repellent.
If a tick is found, remove it immediately, preferably with tweezers.
After a walk, look for ticks. Early treatment with antibiotics will normally prevent illness developing if you have been bitten.