Gentleshaw Common northern route

Welcome to Gentleshaw Common, a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) and a rare lowland heathland. Download and follow the map below for a gentle walk around the north of the site. The walk is just under 0.7miles or 1.1km and is a lovely gentle walk which takes you through some of the Common’s varied habitats.

1. As you walk through the young oak and birch woodland, look out for birds singing, lichens, mosses and fantastic fungi – especially in autumn months.

    

2. See if you can spot small holes in the sandy paths as you walk along the woodland boundary, overlooking the lowland heathland. The holes are home to our native solitary bees and wasps, which Gentleshaw Common is especially good habitat for. They create nests and lay their eggs in the holes they dig out. In spring and summer stand quietly by these holes and you may see busy insects coming and going.

   Be sure to stop and admire the views to the south along the woodland, and heathland boundary, looking over towards Burntwood. In the summer and into autumn, the heather will be blooming with a beautiful purple/pink colour and a will give off a sweet smell during warm sunshine.

    

3. A little further along is a bench offering a place to sit and rest. It’s a wonderful place to take a moment, and listen to the sounds of nature, whilst enjoying the views to the west of the reserve, and Cannock Chase to the north. 

    

4. On the return path you may see kestrels and buzzards flying overhead, and some of our very special ground nesting birds during spring and summer, or fantastic fungi along the path edges in the autumn.

Extra information

Parking

The main car park for Gentleshaw Common is approximatley 0.3 miles/0.5km away from point 3 of this walking route - is on Rugeley Road not far from Redmore Inn, WS15 4RU or w3w ///test.dogs.vines. Other small parking areas can be found near the start/finish opposite Christ Church w3w ///hotel.carbon.twist by Gentleshaw Primary School, WS15 4NB and on Common Side by the Windmill pub w3w: ///today.remove.wiser

Walking trails and access

There is a network of further paths crossing the heathland which can be muddy and uneven in places

Disabled access

The paths included in this walking route are suitable for off-road mobility scooters, but they can be muddy and uneven in places. There are no gates on the site and there are other tracks that will take off-road mobility scooters

Dogs

Must be kept under effective control at all times. Please keep dogs close to you, preferably on a lead, especially between March and August when many birds are nesting on or close to the ground.

What you can see here

More information on seasonal wildlife to spot at Gentleshaw Common can be found on the four information boards which are located around the reserve - as indicated by the i symbols on the reserve map.