comprises SSSI The and warblers sedge

the Government’s wing. Government’s the 1997. since Trust dragonflies, chaser bodied

and spiders (121 species). (121 spiders and

canals were taken under under taken were canals WarwickshireWildlife broad- as such species

recorded, species 322 with

1947, the year before the the before year the 1947, by owned been has to home is reserve The

beetles, for important

paid a dividend right up to to up right dividend a paid Meadows

breeding. The site is also also is site The breeding. boxes. nesting create and

profitable venture that still still that venture profitable 1955, in notified First

with between 60 and 70 70 and 60 between with footpaths lay boardwalks,

1790. Nonetheless, it was a a was it Nonetheless, 1790. . in SSSI

are reported annually, annually, reported are build to projects other with

line eventually opened in in opened eventually line largest the is and total in

and over 100 species species 100 over and involved were residents

20 years before the whole whole the before years 20 acres) (320 ha 128 covers

important for bird life, life, bird for important local and groups volunteer

Its construction took over over took construction Its site the Meadows, Alvecote

the area is regionally regionally is area the different Many created.

areas, Pooley Fields and and Fields Pooley areas,

Oxford Canal). Oxford woodland. As a result, result, a As woodland. scrapes and pools of series

Consisting of two discrete discrete two of Consisting

the (via south and of fen, reed bed and and bed reed fen, of a and widened and dug

Staffordshire in . England. in

(via the Trent & Mersey) Mersey) & Trent the (via habitat, there are areas areas are there habitat, was reserve the through

border of Warwickshire and and Warwickshire of border

shipping fuel both to north north to both fuel shipping addition to the wetland wetland the to addition running ditch main the

hamlet of Alvecote on the the on Alvecote of hamlet

Warwickshire coalfields, coalfields, Warwickshire operation in 1965. In In 1965. in operation when 2006 in created

River Anker, adjacent to the the to adjacent Anker, River

exploit the potential of the the of potential the exploit Colliery and which ceased ceased which and Colliery was It Project. Tamworth

situated alongside the the alongside situated

its promoters hoped to to hoped promoters its form Warwickshire North form About Wild the through

(SSSI) and nature reserve reserve nature and (SSSI)

& Mersey Canal. This way, way, This Canal. Mersey & which was later merged to to merged later was which Trust Wildlife Staffordshire

Special Scientific Interest Interest Scientific Special

of Coventry with the Trent Trent the with Coventry of from Alvecote Colliery, Colliery, Alvecote from by managed and Council

Alvecote Pools is a Site of of Site a is Pools Alvecote

the rapidly expanding city city expanding rapidly the of colliery subsidence subsidence colliery of Borough Tamworth by

Alvecote Pools Alvecote

constructed to connect connect to constructed have arisen as an effect effect an as arisen have owned is reserve The

Reserve Nature Local The Coventry Canal was was Canal Coventry The Anker. River the in alongside the river that that river the alongside

Follow advice and local signs. signs. local and advice  Follow n

Canal Coventry Moor Warwickshire minnow and bullhead a series of shallow pools pools shallow of series a

others enjoying the outdoors the enjoying others

Walk highlights highlights Walk

Be considerate of locals and and locals of considerate  Be n

Keep dogs under effective control effective under dogs  Keep n

take your litter home litter your take

© J.Bates ©

Leave no trace of your visit and and visit your of trace no  Leave

n Dragonfly Chaser

Broad-bodied find them and keep to paths to keep and them find

Leave gates and property as you you as property and gates  Leave n

your Countryside Code: Countryside your

Please be aware of this and know know and this of aware be Please

through wildlife friendly areas. areas. friendly wildlife through

Sections of this circular walk travel travel walk circular this of Sections

Countryside Code Countryside

© Sue Steward Sue ©

Meadows

the Follow © Darin Smith Darin ©

Bullrushes on Alvecote Alvecote on Bullrushes Lapwing

LCFLD M6 LL ALC Explore the landscape, history and M6 A444 AMWR wildlife of the Tame Valley Wetlands. Warwickshire A453 M42 WLRAMPN MDDLN Stretching between Birmingham A5 KNGBR

A452 Moor & Alvecote R i and Tamworth is an extraordinary, ve NNAN r CLLL M5 a me hidden landscape on the doorstep BRMNGAM M6 M6 Circular Walk of over one million people. LLL Medium: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles CNR

M42 M42

Getting here Warwickshire Moor Local Nature Reserve is situated off Moor Lane, , close to the centre of Tamworth. There is a small area to park cars at the entrance to the site and there is limited parking on Moor Lane (nearest postcode is B77 3LL). A bus route passes near to the start of the walk. Visit: www.staffordshire.gov.uk for more information. This guide is available to download from the website. For more information visit: tamevalleywetlands.co.uk [email protected] Facebook.com/tamevalleywetlands @thetamevalley

This walk has been created with assistance from:

Cover image, Cattle on Alvecote Meadow © Sue Steward. Content © Tame Valley Wetlands Landscape Partnership C/O Warwickshire Alvecote Meadows Wildlife Trust Recycle FSC © Sue Steward after use 300 yards The nearest postcode d is B77 3LL and the Roa 300 metres by New Road sh walk begins at a small A all parking area at the grid reference – SK 21627 04131.

Amington R all Farm iver NGN A n k e r

Moor 4 Farm r ke A n er Alvecote iv 3 R Pools

M huttington Road Nature oo r La Alvecote Meadows Reserve AMWR n e DRC Nature Reserve 2 ALC

Brindley Drive amworthRoad Pooley Warwickshire odge Lane Fields Country Moor Nature Reserve Coventry 5 Park 1 AMNGN Canal

o a d th R or w e a m n a L arkers for t e ym he BLALL t wa A AR/ND o e lv c CIRCUL e lu TE AR c p b O W o WARWCKR MR C t e k E A e e r V L L K C & ALC CRCLAR h a A i d r c e u

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Warwickshire Moor & Directions: Key Walk highlight Warwickshire From the small parking then take the public Alvecote Circular walk Moor & Alvecote area on Moor Lane, footpath down into the Refreshments 1 (circular route) Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 miles) look for the boardwalk fields to the right, following Parking near you to explore the the way marking posts 2 Route point Allow: 3-4 hours Toilets Warwickshire Moor area. and exiting onto Alvecote Road Landscape and path type: The route The boardwalk is a short Lane in 730m. Turn left Bus stop uses surfaced footpaths & bridleways, Footpath loop around the Local and walk along Alvecote Buildings muddy tracks, hills and steep inclines, Nature Reserve where Lane, over Alvecote Bridge Bridleway you will get the chance to and through a kissing Open water tarmacked pavements and roads. Track There are slopes and kissing gates see dragonflies, birds and gate down the slope then Woodland small mammals. Upon turn back on yourself onto Train track during this walk. Sturdy footwear Cemetery reaching the parking area the Coventry Canal at is recommended. again, walk to the left, Bridge 59. You can leave Map: OS Map 232 & along Moor Lane towards the circular walk here Tamworth, & . the railway. to explore Pooley Fields Country Park. Dogs: Restricted to public rights of Walk through the way through the reserve, under close 2rail tunnel, following Follow the towpath the finger post ahead. along the canal for control at all times. 5 Continue to follow the way 3km, passing beneath marking posts through bridges 59 to 70 before the fields until reaching a leaving the path at surfaced track alongside Amington Road Bridge playing fields in 740m. (bridge 71) and joining June Crescent. At Bridge Exit through the kissing 63 (Hodge Lane Bridge) gate onto Moor Lane 3 take the time to leave the again, walking along the circular walk briefly to road to the T-junction and explore a Staffordshire turn right. Follow the road Wildlife Trust Nature onto Bracklesham Way and reserve at Hodge Lane. over the rail bridge. Turn Walk along Amington left onto Tamworth Road. Road for 580m before Turn left onto turning right onto Moor 4Shuttington Road over Lane and continuing along another railway bridge. the Lane for 310m to the Follow this road until you end of the walk. reach Bridge,

Alvecote Pools woodland © Chris Guggiar-Peel