As well as active persuits, Brereton Heath Nature Reserve is a great place for spotting birds in their natural habitat

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve can be found on Davenport Lane, just south of the A54, mid-way between Holmes Chapel and Congleton. Look out for the brown tourist sign, view the road map.

The Local Nature Reserve has over 50 acres of mainly silver birch and oak woodland surrounding a 15 acre lake as well as areas of heathland, a wildflower meadow and wetland areas. There is a wealth of bird life, particularly in the woodland. Great and Lesser spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, treecreepers, kingfisher, heron, great crested grebe, goldfinch are just a few of our regular sightings.

There are recreation areas suitable for picnicing. Cycles are permitted and dogs do not have to be on leads as long as they are under control, but visitors are expected to clear dog waste from all areas outside the woodland. Dog waste bins are provided.

For those with mobility problems, there are free dedicated parking spaces, and a wheelchair accessible route follows the perimeter of the lake. A disabled toilet is available, for RADAR key holders.

Brereton Heath has a visitor centre, which includes a visitor information room, toilets, and changing rooms for lake users.

The park is open by 8.45am each day, and closes at 5 p.m. during the winter, and 8.30pm during British Summer Time.

 

Orienteering

A new and improved permanent orienteering course has been created.

Maps cost £1 each and are available via post, or the park office (please note that the office is not permanently staffed).

 

Canoeing

Annual canoe permits are available for groups only, costing £6 per year, per canoe.

The Maccelsfield Canoe Club utilise the lake for training. For more information contact the Macclesfield Canoe Club.

 

Angling

Angling day tickets are available from Wheelock Angling Society, cost £2.50 per rod, £1.50 for juniors and senior citizens. Pay at the bank-side. Please see notice-boards for details of where to fish.

Stocked with some stunning commons and mirrors which have attained weights to over 29lb. The fish are extremely hard fighting and use the deep margins to their obvious advantage when hooked. There have been reliable sightings of uncaught fish which have been estimated to be over the magical 30lb barrier, and with the opening of a new swim in a once unfished area of the lake, the 2009 season has the potential to throw up a surprise or two! The average size of the fish is around 16-18lb with a good head of 20lb+ fish. Roach, perch, tench, bream and pike are also present in the lake.

There is curently no closed season for fishing at Brereton.

 

The Dane Coppice Crafts Group

A willow basket making group, The Dane Coppice Crafts Group, is based at the park. They meet on the last Saturday of each month in the visitor centre. Occasional beginners courses are offered. For further details email Christine Redstone or phone her on 01270 876924. Alternatively visit the Dane Coppice Crafts Group web site. The group has also been active in attracting visiting artists to Brereton to create outdoor environmental sculptures. These are not only interesting to look at, but also great fun for children!

 

Educational Visits

Organised educational visits to the reserve can be made by appointment.

 

Latest News

The natural habitats at Brereton Heath have been given a big boost by the addition of two new ponds in the woodland area. Close to the southern boundary of the reserve, it is hoped that these will provide extra habitat for invertebrates, dragonflies, frogs and newts. They will also benefit the many school visits the reserve hosts each year by providing a more accessible location for pond dipping.

The work has been possible by the awarding of grant aid from the BBC Breathing Places Award Scheme to the Congleton and District Conservation Volunteers. The volunteers will now focus on planting around the ponds, including planting shrubs and seeding with wildflowers. The volunteers have created a short path from the Brimstone Trail, to a new seating area overlooking the ponds.

Further sections of the lakeside path have recently been upgraded to make them more ‘user friendly’ for those visitors with wheelchairs or buggies. For those of you new to Brereton Heath, pick up a copy of the Brereton Heath leaflet and follow the ‘Brimstone Trail’ through the nature reserve’s woodland and other habitats.

Summer-time brought frenetic activity to the nature reserve. A wide variety of bird life was seen around the woodland, and on the lake. Several greater spotted woodpeckers were noted, as well as a green woodpecker on the heathland. Two pairs of great crested grebe  nested on the lake, producing three young grebe between them. A kingfisher has made several visits to the lake. The Rangers  noticed a large number of butterflies over the summer months. In particular, large numbers of meadow browns were noted during July.

 

Contacts

Ranger Service
01477 534 115
brereton@cheshireeast.gov.uk