Brown Moss Countryside Site

Location : 2 miles south of Whitchurch east of the A41. Grid ref. SJ563393 (to see a map showing the location of the site click on the link on this page)

Recreational Activities: There are several reasonably level, well defined circular walks most of which require stout footwear or wellingtons.

A 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.

One of Shropshire’s most interesting sites for plants with over 200 species of wild plants including the rare Floating Water Plantain. With its marshes, pools, heathland and woodland a great variety of wildlife flourishes here, including Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays, Common and Great Crested Newts. In the summer large numbers of froglets can be seen making a mass exodus from the pools, whilst dragonflies are glimpsed hunting around the ponds and woodland edges.

Because of its wildlife interest Brown Moss is designated as a Local Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation, and RAMSAR site.

Following wide consultation the latest management plan for the site has been agreed. The full plan or a smaller summary plan can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us if you have any comments.

Unfortunately in recent years the site has been invaded by Crassula helmsii, a very successful non-native which is smothering some of the more delicate plants on site. When visiting this site please keep to the paths and away from the edges of the pools. This will help limit the spread of this plant and reduce the damage to fragile marsh areas.

Habitat Management
During January/February 2010 work will continue to remove young trees and scrub which have grown up around the margins of many of the pools. Without animals to graze the site trees will continually seed into the marshy areas changing the types of plants which grow there. Without management these pools, and many of the valuable and interesting plants and animals which make Brown Moss so special, would disappear. If you would like to know more or would like to volunteer to help with work at Brown Moss please contact the Parks and Countryside Sites Team.

Grazing
Grazing is the best way of managing the marsh vegetation and heathland on this site and we are looking to support or introduce grazing management where feasible. To find out more about the Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme click the link on this page.

You might also like to visit Melverley Farm, one of Shropshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserves which is 2 - 3 km North-East, within easy walking distance. Haymeadows, high hedges and small fields take you into a different world. A roughly circular walk of approximately 8 km (5 miles) is possible on footpaths and country lanes. Click on the link to find out more

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

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