Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Parks and Open Spaces
Telephone:
01384 812795
Website:
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Address:
off Coppice Lane, Quarry Bank, BRIERLEY HILL, West Midlands, DY5 1AX
Saltwells National Nature Reserve is one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves covering 247 acres.
Lady Dudley planted Saltwells Wood in the eighteenth century to cover over the scars of coal mining. The descendants of the Oak and Beech still survive and are home to many species of woodland bird. Wild Garlic and Anemones can be found in the wood together with carpets of Bluebells. There are also sixteen species of dragonfly found on the Daphne Pool making this one of the best sites in the West Midlands for these insects.
Inside the wood is Doulton's Claypit. It's spectacular cliffs, abandoned in the 1940's has been reclaimed by nature and now is home to many unusual plants.
South of the wood is an area of scrubland and meadow plus a large reedswamp which provides a safe refuge for winter birds like Water Rail, Snipe and Teal. North of the woodland is Netherton Hill which was opencast for coal until the 1960's but is now home to Linnets and Reed Buntings. Still further north is an area of restored coal mining known as Cinder Bank.
Recently presented with a Centre of Excellence award by the Forestry Authority for woodland management, Saltwells has long been a model urban reserve for Europe under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere project.
Saltwells National Nature Reserve is one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves covering 247 acres.
Lady Dudley planted Saltwells Wood in the eighteenth century to cover over the scars of coal mining. The descendants of the Oak and Beech still survive and are home to many species of woodland bird. Wild Garlic and Anemones can be found in the wood together with carpets of Bluebells. There are also sixteen species of dragonfly found on the Daphne Pool making this one of the best sites in the West Midlands for these insects.
Inside the wood is Doulton's Claypit. It's spectacular cliffs, abandoned in the 1940's has been reclaimed by nature and now is home to many unusual plants.
South of the wood is an area of scrubland and meadow plus a large reedswamp which provides a safe refuge for winter birds like Water Rail, Snipe and Teal. North of the woodland is Netherton Hill which was opencast for coal until the 1960's but is now home to Linnets and Reed Buntings. Still further north is an area of restored coal mining known as Cinder Bank.
Recently presented with a Centre of Excellence award by the Forestry Authority for woodland management, Saltwells has long been a model urban reserve for Europe under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere project.
How to Find Us
Saltwells National Nature Reserve,
off Coppice Lane,
Quarry Bank,
BRIERLEY HILL,
West Midlands,
DY5 1AX
Group Information
Coverages:
Brierley Hill
Organiser:
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Telephone:
01384 812795
Website:
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Address:
off Coppice Lane, Quarry Bank, BRIERLEY HILL, West Midlands, DY5 1AX
Service Information
Categories:
Parks and Open Spaces
Links for Information
Website:
Saltwells National Nature Reserve
Last updated 23rd May 2023