About the reserve

Drakelow Nature Reserve consists of old gravel pits and riverside meadow in the floodplain of the River Trent. It lies on a natural meander on the south side of the river just upstream of Burton on Trent. Its location has made it an extremely important flyway for birds for many years, and it now forms a significant link in a chain of wetland reserves along the Trent Valley.  

The variety of habitat attracts a wide range of species. Visitors in the summer months can look forward to hearing the distinctive song of reed warblers, while winter brings in large numbers of wildfowl alongside resident water rails. The reserve is also home to breeding and roosting cormorants, and bitterns are present on-site. Because these fascinating birds are naturally quite elusive, a sighting is an extra-special bonus that requires quite a bit of patience and luck! During the summer, the site also bursts into life with butterflies and dragonflies, with all the commoner species recorded here.

Embracing the Wild

Drakelow is a wonderfully wild and natural reserve on a true conservation scale. For the adventurous visitor, this means a more immersive experience where you might find yourself stepping through tall grasses and exploring untamed paths.