Our Nature Reserves

Wild spaces for everyone to enjoy

Our nature reserves are havens for wildlife and places where you can experience the beauty of the natural world. Take the family for a springtime walk in a dappled woodland, or grab your binoculars and try spotting some rare wetland birds.

Below we've gathered some suggestions together to get you started, but you can also find more information on our 'must see' nature reserves page, or use the A-Z search page to find your next wild place to visit. It's important that everyone can enjoy nature so we've also gathered together our most accessible reserves with information on parking and footpaths.

• Admire impressive ancient trees at Brankley Pastures near Burton-upon-Trent. Once part of the Needwood Forset, this wood pasture is full of fascinating and impressive trees.
• Brush up on your birding skills with a visit to Doxey Marshes, in Stafford, one of the county's best sites for bird-watching.
• Grab your binoculars and head for Croxall Lakes, in Alrewas and take a winter walk to spot migrating birds.
• Take in the woodland wildflowers in springtime and fabulous fungi in autumn at Hem Heath, in Stoke-on-Trent
• Make a beeline for Highgate Common near Wombourne/Kinver to witness the super summer spectacle of bees buzzing across a sea of purple heather.
• Enjoy a wander around an Ice Age landscape formed over 10,000 years ago at Loynton Moss near Woodseaves. Today it is today home to a range of wetland birds and insects.
• Take in breathtaking panoramic views and wild open moorland at The Roaches, Staffordshire's gateway to the Peak District.
• Spot rare plants and unique flora, including the county's finest displays of mountain pansies at Thorswood in the Staffordshire Moorlands.