Our Nature Reserves

Our nature reserves

Our nature reserves

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust owns or manages 30Ā nature reserves across the county, from wild open moorlands to ancient bluebell woods, wildflower meadows and wetlands ringing with birdsong.

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Image by kevin PalmerĀ 

Our newest Nature Reserves

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust areĀ delighted to announce that theyĀ hadĀ taken on reserves Gun Moor and Knotbury Common in 2019. You can find out more about these sites below.

Knotbury Common

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Gun Moor

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Credit:Ā David Brain

Our must see nature reserves

Not sure where to start

Our nature reserves are havens for wildlife and places where you can experience the beauty of the natural world. Take the family for a springtime walk in a dappled woodland, or grab your binoculars and try spotting some rare wetland birds. We've put together a list of our must see nature reserves....

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Check out our must see nature reserves

The possibilities are endless...

Rare plants

Stunning wildlife

Wild spaces

Activities

The choice is yours...

  • Admire impressive ancient trees.Ā Ā Once part of the Needwood Forset,Ā Brankley PasturesĀ nearĀ Burton-upon-TrentĀ is full of fascinating and impressive trees.
  • Brush up on your birding skills.Ā Go toĀ Doxey Marshes, inĀ Stafford, one of the county's best sites for bird-watching.
  • Take a winter walk and spot migrating birds.Ā Grab your binoculars and head forĀ Croxall Lakes, inĀ Alrewas
  • Enjoy a woodland wander.Ā Take in woodland wildflowers in springtime and fabulous fungi in autumn atĀ Hem Heath, inĀ Stoke-on-Trent
  • Listen to bees buzzing across a sea of purple heather.Ā Make a beeline forĀ Highgate CommonĀ nearĀ WombourneĀ to witness this super summer spectacle.
  • Wander around an Ice Age landscape.Ā Formed at the end of the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago,Ā Loynton MossĀ nearĀ WoodseavesĀ is today home to a range of wetland birds and insects.
  • Take in breathtaking panoramic views and wild open moorland.Ā Feel on top of the world onĀ the Roaches, Staffordshire's gateway to theĀ Peak District.
  • Spot rare plants.Ā With unique flora, including the county's finest displays of mountain pansies,Ā ThorswoodĀ in theĀ Staffordshire MoorlandsĀ is a must for any botanist.

Find your nearest nature reserve

Introducing the Trust's Nature Reserve in the Making

After yearsĀ of negotiation and fundraising, in 2018, quarrying operations ended at Tucklesholme and the transformation from quarry to nature reserve began.Ā 

Tucklesholme

Tucklesholme

Tucklesholme is located on the banks of the River Trent near Barton-under- Needwood. The site has been restored to a wetland habitat providing a home for a number of key breading species that specialise in this open wetland environment such as oystercatcher, skylark, shelduck and common sandpiper.Ā 

Ā Find out how we're turning a working gravel quarry into one of the county's finest nature reserves.

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Get close to nature

The Trust run sessions from guided walks to pond dipping on many of our reserves for all ages. Click on the link below to view our events programme and see what exciting sessions we have planned!

Events

Get close to nature and see what events we have on at our reservesĀ and visitor centresĀ 

Check out events

Support our work

We couldn't work to protect and conserve wildlife in StaffordshireĀ without your help. Please support us by becoming a member or volunteering with us

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Volunteering

Volunteer on our reserves

We run volunteering work partiesĀ on our nature reserves to help us manage the site. Our work wouldn't be possible without the support of our amazing volunteers! Joining your local work partyĀ isĀ a great way to meet people, help to supportĀ local wildlife and discover new skills.Ā 

Get involved

Get hands on

There are lots of surveying opportunities at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

Image credit: Zsuzsanna Bird