Cotterill Clough

Cotterill Clough nature reserve

Cotterill Clough nature reserve

Cotteril Clough nature reserve

Cotteril Clough nature reserve

Fungi

Fungi

Cotterill Clough

An ancient woodland with a variety of trees and flowers

Location

The reserve is located to the west of Manchester airport and is situated astride a tributary stream of the River Bollin
Wilmslow
Cheshire
WA15 8XQ
A static map of Cotterill Clough

Know before you go

Size
6 hectares
z

Entry fee

No

Access

No

There is no public access to this site. Look out for spring guided walks being advertised on our website.

Dogs

Assistance dogs only

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Not open to the public

Best time to visit

Not open to the public

About the reserve

In Cheshire much of our remaining ancient woodland is in narrow, steep-sided valleys known as ‘cloughs’. Cotterill Clough is one of Cheshire's best examples, and located to the west of Manchester Airport, this is one of our oldest nature reserves. It was purchased in 1934 from funds raised by public subscription for a memorial to T.A. Coward, a famous Cheshire naturalist (1867-1933).

Three distinct zones exist within the woodland. The first of these occurs on the plateau edge where the canopy is dominated by birch pedunculated oak and sycamore. As you descend down the steep valley sides this grades into ash-wych elm woodland with a staggeringly diverse ground flora that includes ramsons, dog’s mercury, bluebells, wood anemone, lesser celandine and black bryony. Finally, the valley floor supports species more tolerant of the damper soil conditions including Alder and Willow species. Here the damp conditions allow ferns, mosses and liverworts to flourish alongside the flowering plants.

Regretfully, due to unsafe infrastructure and large amounts of standing deadwood that we would like to preserve, the reserve is now closed to the public.

Contact us

Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01948 820728
Contact email: info@cheshirewt.org.uk

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)