Corbet Wood countryside site

Location: West of the A49 between Shrewsbury and Wem. Grid ref. SJ 525237 (for a map showing the location of Corbet Wood Countryside Heritage Site click on the link)

Recreational Activities: Some easy walking at the bottom of the hill, however the steep slopes mean that most of the walks are rugged so stout footwear is essential.

A new family friendly route has been designed at the site and is available for download on this page. (Other family friendly walks are available at other Countryside sites).

For more current information about the site see the seasonal update attached to this page.

Situated on the slopes of the Grinshill sandstone ridge there are various viewpoints which offer excellent panoramic views to South Shropshire and the Welsh Borders.

A maze of quarried sandstone edges covered in woodland, the mixed areas of conifer and broad-leaved trees provide an ideal habitat for birds. These include Coal Tits, Warblers, Woodpeckers and Goldcrests and over 120 species of butterfly and moth have been recorded on the site as a whole.

Some relic heathland remains at the top of the ridge.

For centuries this was the centre of a busy quarrying industry as well as some copper mining. The site is a geologists delight with a number of exposed rock faces showing distinctive features such as rain prints and differing layers of rock formations. Fossilised skeletons and footprints of a primitive lizard-like reptile found here during the Victorian era are thought to have been influential in the understanding of evolution during that time.

The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geological importance. On the 30th January 2006 Corbet wood and part of Grinshill was designated a Local Nature Reserve (follow the link to find out more about Local Nature Reserves).

The management plan document and a summary of the management plan are available to download from this page along with management plan maps. Some of these documents may be very large. They are also available to view from Outdoor Recreation Service and at the local library.

If you or your organisation would like to hold a public event on this site please contact us

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