Corbet Wood Countryside Heritage Site

Come and join us on our February practical task helping to improve the area of heathland for wildlife by removing small invasive birch trees. Download the attachment 'restoring-the-heathland-08 for more details.

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.

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 was also designated as part of a Local Nature Reserve (follow the link to find out more about Local Nature Reserves).

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