Wetley Moor Common

Around 70 hectares of the common is SSSI lowland heathland, making it the perfect place for bird spotting.

Location

Wetley Moor
Armshead Road
Werrington
ST9 0EL

Near Armshead

ST9 0EL

Know before you go

Size

118 hectares

Entry fee

Free

Parking information

Car park - maximum of 12 vehicles

Grazing animals

Walking trails

Generally flat but can be uneven and boggy in places.

Access

Main access is from the car park on Armshead Road. There are other foot access points at Washerwall Lane, Jack Haye Lane and Eaves Lane.

Dogs

Under effective control

Please keep dogs close to you, preferably on a lead, especially between April and July when many birds are nesting on or close to the ground - do not let it chase or worry wildlife. Put all dog waste in the bins where provided or take it home.

Facilities

Picnic area

Accessible trails

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to October

About the reserve

Highlights

A spring visit is the best time to hear the unmistakable song of the skylark.

This site covers 70 hectares of lowland heathland SSSI set within ancient Common land. Early records from 1220 indicate links to Abbey Hulton. There is a history of Millstone grit quarrying and coal mining dating from 1698. Now heathland with a mix of heather, purple moor grass and gorse. Look and listen for whitethroat, linnet, reed bunting, meadow pipits and sometimes grasshopper warblers. Patches of peripheral scrub support willow tit too.