P0052/2000

www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/countryside

Contact us at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/contact at us Contact

Tel 0845 605 3010 605 0845 Tel

Stockwell Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6HQ ST13 Staffordshire, Leek, Street, Stockwell

wood and wetland and wood Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Moorlands House, House, Moorlands Council, District Moorlands Staffordshire

Parks & Countryside Service, Countryside & Parks

Discover 28 ha of fields, of ha 28 Discover

For more information on this and other sites please contact: please sites other and this on information more For Country Park, Leek Park, Country

Ladderedge

suitable for individuals, families and groups. and families individuals, for suitable

test your map reading skills. There are three levels, levels, three are There skills. reading map your test

The Country Park also offers orienteering courses, to to courses, orienteering offers also Park Country The

countryside.

www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/

downloaded from the website website the from downloaded

The walks leaflet can also be be also can leaflet walks The

Ladderedge News & Stores. Stores. & News Ladderedge

purchased from Leek TIC and and TIC Leek from purchased

orienteering packs can be be can packs orienteering

Walks leaflets and and leaflets Walks

the surrounding countryside. countryside. surrounding the

Canal Walk link the park with with park the link Walk Canal

Leek Landscapes and The The and Landscapes Leek

walks: The Longsdon Walk, Walk, Longsdon The walks:

Three longer self-guided self-guided longer Three

strolling through grasslands through strolling

the ancient woodland before before woodland ancient the

canal feeder and up through through up and feeder canal

and will take you along the the along you take will and

takes approximately an hour hour an approximately takes

this route route this Woodland walk - - walk Woodland

does include a hill a include does

Ladderedge has to offer and and offer to has Ladderedge

of the habitats that that habitats the of

longer route that takes in all all in takes that route longer

a slightly slightly a Habitat walk - - walk Habitat

meadow

minute stroll around the lower lower the around stroll minute

routes 18 & 118 stopping close by. close stopping 118 & 18 routes an easy 20 20 easy an Meadow walk - - walk Meadow

the town centre. Accessible by public transport, with bus bus with transport, public by Accessible centre. town the the park: the

Ladderedge Country Park is fifteen minutes walk from from walk minutes fifteen is Park Country Ladderedge There are three walks around around walks three are There

Recreation Recreation Directions

Welcome to Ladderedge Country Park Justust 22kmkm ffromrom LeekLeek town Moorlands District Council and turned What to see and when centre, Ladderedge into a country park in 1990. The park Country Park was once part provides a diverse range of habitats to March-May woodland flowers and birds of an area known as explore and wildlife to see and enjoys May-August wildflowers and insects Ladderedge Common, it was stunning views over Leek and the September-November then farmed before being Roaches into the Peak District. fungi and autumn colours bought by Staffordshire October-February wintering birds Grasslands Wetland Woodland The meadows and pastures are managed in the traditional manner The ponds are home to frogs and two species of newts, they The mature woodland is part of Longsdon Wood, to encourage the growth of wildflowers. The meadows are mown then attract herons for a spot of fishing. Look out for a flash which is of ancient origin. In the spring the floor is for hay in late July/August and the pastures are grazed from the end of colour as the kingfishers fly along the canal feeder and the carpeted in flowers, in particular bluebells and of May. In May the Knoll is covered in a mass of buttercups, while River Churnet. During the spring the marsh and stream put wood sorrel. Notice that dead wood and brash are Top meadow is at its best June to August when yellow rattle and on a spectacular show of marsh marigold, followed by ragged left; these provide homes for invertebrates and knapweed are in flower. They are home to many invertebrates, robin and yellow flag iris. small mammals. The wood is alive with birds, including butterflies and small mammals. In the autumn take a including greater spotted woodpecker. close look at the grass where you will find delicate fungi growing. The winter is a good time to spot birds while they are busy feeding on the seeds and berries and there are no leaves on the trees.

Meadow walk 20 mins easy Habitat walk 40 mins some hills Woodland walk 1 hr some hills

Barnfield Once part of extensive wet meadow known as The Washlands. This smaller section of the park provides opportunity to enjoy a stroll along the meandering River Churnet or a picnic amongst the wildflowers. The aqueduct no longer takes the canal into the centre of Leek, but does provide access to the Caldon Canal and surrounding footpaths.