Our Nature Reserves

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

Image by kevin Palmer

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Our newest Nature Reserves

In 2019 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was delighted to take on Gun Moor and Knotbury Common nature reserves. In 2020 Craddocks Moss was also taken on. You can find out more about these sites below.

Knotbury Common

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Credit: David Brain

Gun Moor

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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....

Check out our must see nature reserves

The possibilities are endless...

Rare plants

The work on our reserves wouldn't be possible without our members. Become a member.

Stunning wildlife

Wild spaces

Activities

The choice is yours...

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

Find your nearest nature reserve

Introducing the Trust's Nature Reserve in the Making

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

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.

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 reserves and visitor centres

Check out events

Support our work

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

Volunteer on our reserves

We run volunteering work parties 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 party is a great way to meet people, help to support local wildlife and discover new skills.

Get involved