Broadhurst Edge Wood

An oak and birch woodland with bilberry glades providing welcome refuge to a variety of wildlife

Location

Pole Lane

New Mills

Derbyshire

OS Map Reference

SJ 9977 8741

Know before you go

Size

6 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

Visitors should park along Castle edge road near the cross roads with Pole lane and Primrose Lane, and then continue on foot along Pole Lane to the reserve entrance approx. 150m from the cross roads. Entrance is through a locked reserve gate.

Walking trails

Beware of shafts from old coal mining activities, which occur throughout the wood.

Access

Pole Lane is a rough track unsuitable for most vehicles.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times. Permit required - it is on your membership card or you can call the office on 01773 881188 to obtain the code.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer for bird life

About the reserve

This exposed reserve in the north of the county lies at just over 900 ft, its oak and birch woodland providing welcome refuge to a variety of wildlife.

Birds in particular take advantage of the trees here as there are so few other areas of woodland in the vicinity. In just 14 acres, an impressive 64 bird species have been recorded, and we know that 41 of these have bred on the reserve. They include kestrel, tawny owl, whinchat and redpoll.

Birds such as woodcock overwinter in the undergrowth, while the bilberry glades also provide sheltered habitat for invertebrates.

Near the entrance, a small pond has been colonised by frogs and palmate newts as well as many invertebrates. It provides a valuable food source for many birds and mammals - brown hare, pygmy shrew, hedgehog and bank vole have all been seen here.