Staffordshire Moorlands Countryside and Nature Reserves

This is how you imagine the countryside should look. There’s nothing chocolate box about the Moorlands – from rocky escarpments to plummeting valleys, the Staffordshire Moorlands is wild at heart.

Visit its hills or valleys, country parks or moors and discover a place where you can reconnect with nature.

This is serious walking country! Head to the rugged Peak District gritstone of the Roaches, take in the rolling river valleys of the Dove, meander along the Caldon Canal; a branch of Brindley’s creation, following the towpath as it winds through the captivating Churnet Valley, or take on challenging hikes and breath-taking beauty in the Manifold Valley.

Nature Reserves

Reconnect with the natural environment by visiting a nature reserve. The numerous Staffordshire Moorlands nature reserves come in all shapes and sizes and are protected places where wildlife can thrive.

They may look completely wild, but they're usually managed by conservation teams, who protect, restore and create a mix of perfect habitats. Nature reserves are havens for wildlife where everyone can experience the beauty of the natural world.

They are special places, which give people a chance to re-connect with nature - more important today than ever, in an increasingly nature-depleted world. By having the opportunity to experience wildlife at first hand, nature reserves help people of all ages understand its importance.

The Staffordshire Moorlands is a small area but has over 20 nature reserves and not one of them is alike. From wild open moorlands to ancient bluebell woods, wildflower meadows and wetlands ringing with birdsong, there is something for every nature lover to enjoy during every season.

Take the family for a springtime walk in a dappled woodland and try spotting some rare wetland birds. When visiting the reserves please follow the countryside code to enable everyone to enjoy, value and respect the Moorlands’ most important places for nature.

Grab your binoculars and head for Gun Moor just outside of Leek, this is a lovely site for walking. A circular path takes you through a mix of habitats from open heath to woodland and provides excellent views towards Tittesworth Reservoir and The Roaches. Gun Moor includes Gun Hill and is a gem of a site that is much quieter than the nearby Roaches.

Admire impressive ancient trees at Cotton Dell in Oakamoor or brush up on your birding skills with a visit to RSPB Coombes Valley in Bradnop, one of the best sites for birdwatching.

Ladderedge Country Park offers 70 acres of meadows, parkland and woods just 20 minutes’ walk from the centre of Leek. Visit in spring for bluebells in the ancient woodland, June to August for meadow wildflowers including yellow rattle, common knapweed and common spotted orchid.

Take in the woodland wildflowers in springtime and fabulous fungi in autumn at RSPB Consall Woods or see if you can spot the rare water voles at Cecilly Brook in Cheadle. This oasis for nature boasts ancient hedgerows and wildflower meadows.

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Swineholes Wood, Black Heath and Casey Bank are all on Ipstones Edge. The special heathland habitats at Swineholes Wood and Black Heath undoubtedly look at their best in late summer when the hillside is covered in swathes of purple heather. Casey Bank is a botanist's paradise! Early summer is the best times to look for rare plants like lousewort, moonwort and bog asphodel.

Take in breathtaking panoramic views and wild open moorland at the Roaches, Staffordshire's gateway to the Peak District. As well as being a popular place for recreation, the Roaches is an amazing place for wildlife and is protected both for its wildlife and rare wild habitats.

Marshes Hill Common is designated a Site of Biological Importance because of its important heathland animals and plants.

Spot rare plants and unique flora, including the county's finest displays of mountain pansies amongst the 150 acres at Thorswood near Stanton.

Knotbury Common is one of the area’s smallest nature reserves, only taking around 20 minutes to explore but is an important part of the Leek Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest, South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation, and the Peak District Moors Special Protected Area.

Newpool Meadows was originally part of the Knypersley Estate and was once known as Newpool Lake, holding the largest area of water before the Serpentine and Knypersley Pool were constructed. In 1808 the lake was drained to allow the expansion of the coal industry, but the old dam wall can still be seen on the opposite side of Tunstall Road.

Rod Wood near Cheddleton - Visit the reserve in early July to see the flower rich meadows at their best and look out for wild orchids and other colourful flowers. On a clear day the reserve has spectacular views across to north Staffordshire and the Peak District. 

Side Farm Meadows in Oakamoor, includes a combination of acidic grassland, scrub and woodland. The meadows are sprinkled with wildflowers and towards the bottom of the valley, the grassland gives way to scrub and woodland.

Weag’s Barn in Grindon is a spectacular reserve of grassland and valley woodland, situated where the Rivers Hamps and Manifold meet. Make a day of it and hire a bicycle to cycle the Manifold Trail – you can start at Brown End Quarry in Waterhouses and drop in at Weags Barn en-route.

Hales Hall Pool, Cheadle is a nature reserve with a manmade 1.76-hectare lake dating back to 1846. A double line of yew trees links the lake with Hales Hall, built in 1712. The pool edges are a designated Site of Biological Importance with marsh marigold, flag iris, greater tussock sedge and bulbous rush growing. Look out for birds such as kingfisher, heron, tufted duck, coot, moorhen and great crested grebes.

Consall Nature Park is situated within the beautiful valley of the River Churnet and makes an excellent base for exploring.

Perfect for birdwatching, Wetley Moor Common offers ample opportunities to look and listen for whitethroat, linnet, reed bunting, meadow pipits and sometimes grasshopper warblers.

Deep Hayes Country Park, just outside of Leek has a strong industrial heritage but is now an area of woodland and meadows with a series of pools and pathways. There is a visitor centre and a variety of walks for all abilities. A bird hide is well positioned with feeding stations and bird boxes to attract the local wildlife.

Greenway Bank Country Park in Brown Edge covers 114 acres and contains features left from the days when the site was the landscaped grounds of a stately home, such as a castellated tower, ancient well and hermits stone. The ancient and semi-natural woodlands contained within Greenway Bank country park are important habitats for numerous creatures. Water voles have been recorded on site in the past.

There is a Visitor Centre and cobbled yard which once served as the stables and garages to the house.