Our nature reserves
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.
COVID 19 May 2020 update
In light of the latest Government advice, we are taking a phased approach to re-opening our nature reserves to ensure our visitors, local communities and staff are safe, as well as wildlife protected.
We understand lots of people will be keen to get to get to our reserves and other beauty spots further afield, but we encourage those thinking about travelling out to the countryside to consider that many car parks and visitor facilities may not yet be open at the moment and that many are in remote, rural locations where we must take into consideration the health and well-being of local communities. We would advise therefore that you do not travel long distances to our reserves at the present time.
Most of our Nature Reserves are open, but please be aware the following car parks are currently still closed:
Georges Hayes
Highgate Common (Camp Hill, White Ladies & Triangle Car Parks)
Tucklesholme
The Wolseley Centre
Explore
Image by kevin Palmer
Our newest Nature Reserves
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust are delighted to announce that they had taken on reserves Gun Moor and Knotbury Common in 2019. You can find out more about these sites below.
Our must see nature reserves
The possibilities are endless...
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.
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!
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 hands on
There are lots of surveying opportunities at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Image credit: Zsuzsanna Bird