Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve

Region: Midlands

Avenue Washlands’ scenic green oasis is so rich in wildlife that you would never know that the former coking works on which the reserve is now located was reckoned to be the most contaminated site in Europe.

The Present and the Future

Avenue Washlands is a fantastic example of nature’s amazing strength. Even before restoration started, amidst the sludge and slurry, wildlife was already starting to thrive.

The park is home to a diverse range of thriving wildlife. Species such as Water voles, which are nationally declining, have found a home here. There are also Little egrets, Great crested newts, Grass snakes, Kingfishers, Barn owls, Lapwings, Skylarks and Little ringed plovers.

People can enjoy great views of these species and many more from the special viewing platforms all around the site.

Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve Contact


The site contact for our Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve space is Sam Willis

This space is managed in partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

Reserve open at all times. Visitor centre only open for groups by prior arrangement.

Car Parking

The Avenue Visitor Centre on Mill Lane is only open for groups by prior arrangement, otherwise park on Mill Lane just past the houses. There is no parking available at the Tupton end.

Toilets

Yes - At the Visitor Centre
(click here to find the nearest public toilets)

Café

Yes - At the Visitor Centre

Entrance cost

Free

Accessibility

Access to the site is via squeeze stiles which are just wide enough for mobility scooters. About 80% of the reserve, including the two viewing screens, is accessible to wheelchairs.

Footpaths

Yes

Dogs

Must be on a lead at all times

Conservation, Wildlife, Flora, Fauna

The park is home to a diverse range of thriving wildlife. Species such as Water Voles, which are nationally declining, have found a home here. There are also Little Egrets, Great Crested Newts, Grass Snakes, Kingfishers, Barn Owls, Lapwings, Skylarks and Little Ringed Plovers. People can enjoy great views of these species and many more from the special viewing platforms all around the site.

Location

Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve, 9 Mill Lane, Chesterfield, S42

Site size: 17 (+75 under development) hectares

Events

There are currently no events relating to this space.

View all events

Awards

This site has received the following awards:

  • BTO-EDF Community Land Management Award – March 2011

  • The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve received a top award from the British Trust for Ornithology in March 2011.

    The nature reserve has been awarded first prize in the Community Category for Land Management sites in the BTO-EDF Energy Business Birds Challenge 2010, which aims to find the best business sites for birds, conservation and people in the UK

History

The former coking works was reckoned to be the most contaminated in Europe. Amazingly the nature reserve, which was created as part of the first phase of restoration, supports an incredible array of wildlife including several BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) species and is providing education opportunities to thousands of children.

At its peak the plant carbonised 2,175 tonnes of coal a day. This could produce: 1,400 tons of smokeless fuel, 65 tons of Sulphuric Acid, 35 tons of Ammonium Sulphate, 20,000 gallons of crude Benzole and 250 tons of Tar. In 1992 the works closed, lying disused until in 1999 when the East Midland Development Agency, funded by the Homes and Communities Agency through the National Coalfield Programme, commenced the enormous task of dismantling and cleaning possibly this highly contaminated site.

Development

The restoration of the site and subsequent transfer to the Land Trust was undertaken in two distinct phases. The southern part of the site, previously railway sidings and agricultural land, was completed in 2007 and leased to the Land Trust, while the remainder of the site was restored over a five year period.

Land Trust Contact

To contact the Land Trust about this site or how we could help manage your space please email our Estates Manager Simon Pedley or call 07789 651487.

To enquire about holding an event on a Land Trust site, please click here.

Downloads

Download Avenue Washlands & Grassmoor Country Park (5.1 miles/8.2 km) Download Avenue Washlands Case Study Download Tupton to Avenue Washlands (5.4 miles/8.8km) Download Walking route - Avenue Washlands (1 mile/1.6 km)

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