Our Reserves

Permits are required for some of our nature reserves. This is to control the number of visitors onto sensitive areas. Permits are available from the Trust office. Members simply need to phone to be issued with the current gate and hide numbers, while non-members can purchase a permit for £12.

Lock Lane Ash Tip

(Grid reference SK485318)

Location: Between Sawley and Trentlock, near Long Eaton.

Nearest Town:  Long Eaton

Grid reference:  SK 485318  (OS Landranger 129 Nottingham & Loughborough)

How to get there: Park on Lock Lane, near the level crossing and follow the path which runs through the reserve.

Access: Please note that this reserve is temporarily closed while the Environment Agency carries out work. When it reopens, visitors will require a permit.

Once used as a tip for ash from the railways, Lock Lane now provides a valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife.

While the ash is a harsh medium that many plants can not tolerate, several species flourish at Lock Lane, among them thyme-leaved sandwort and small toadflax. You may spot common lizards basking on the ash on a summer's day - they feast on the large numbers of insects that visit. More than 200 species of moth have been recorded here, as well as 16 species of butterfly, including the small heath and gatekeeper.

In addition to the areas of ash the waste deposited here has resulted in a limestone content in some areas. As a result there are several plant species more commonly seen in limestone areas further north, such as vipers bugloss.

In other areas thorn scrub has developed and is now managed for birds, including large numbers of wintering thrushes.