Brown Moss Countryside Heritage Site

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.

Location : 2 miles south of Whitchurch east of the A41. Grid ref. SJ 563393 (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 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).

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.

Over the autumn/winter of 2007 work will begin on the restoration of the heathland. This will involve the removal of a number of trees adjacent to the largest pool and the grassland area to reduce the shade and build up of nutrients from the leaf litter. The heathland vegetation should then flourish, providing food and nesting areas for a range of wildlife and a glorious display of colour in late summer.

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