A former landfill site and then tip for demolition waste until the 1980s, Hassall Green was safely remediated by the landowners, Hays Recruitment, in 2013 before the Land Trust took on ownership the following year.
Due to its historic uses, this 2-hectare site is regularly monitored for any environmental risks, and so is not freely open to the public. However, Hassall Green is a cherished community hub for local volunteers, who have hugely contributed to enhancing the space for people and nature, where you’ll now find a huge range of flora and fauna. The site is also one of the flagship sites for the Land Trust’s environmental training programme, Green Angels.
The reserve is a real mix‑and‑match of habitats, from leafy woodland full of character to open spaces carpeted with wildflowers. You’ll find grassy meadows, areas where bracken happily runs wild, and patches of fresh, ever‑changing plants that pop up with the seasons. Hedgerows weave their way through the landscape, dotted with scrub and trees, making it a varied and welcoming place for wildlife – and a great spot to explore. Cheshire Wildlife Trust has identified the areas of woodland on site as Habitats of Principle Importance. The site is home to a variety of wildlife, including breeding pairs of Birds of Conservation Concern amber listed song thrush and bullfinch, and a small population of grass snake. Eight species of bat have been recorded at the site including Nathusius pipistrelle, Leislers bat, Brandts bat, and roosting soprano pipistrelle.
2.19
By arrangement only
There is space for cars onsite, however this has closed access and is open by appointment only. Parking is free when open. There are no electric vehicle charging points. What3Words:///companies.debt.learn
There is a flat, compacted walkway from the upper to the lower meadow. A ramp can be provided to gain access into the round house on the lower meadow. Access to the Oak woodland is by a set of steep steps. Lower access gates can be opened to access the woodland but please note that there are steep and uneven sections within the woodland. There are informal paths which are uneven and only certain areas of the site are accessible for wheelchair users
Composting toilet onsite near car parking area with disabled access ramp
There is no cafe on site
Picnics are not permitted on site
There is no children's play area on site
There are no formal footpaths but informal trails around the site are cut with a strimmer regularly and are kept clear for ease of access. There is a gravel track/pathway leading down to the lower woodland and access to Oak Woodland is via steps
Hassall Green is a closed site with access by arrangement for educational purposes only. You can cycle to the site to join one of the many activities hosted here, but you will need to leave your bike in the car park as there is no cycling is permitted on site, there are no facilities to store or lock bikes
Dogs are not permitted onsite
The site features a number of volunteer-built attractions and wildlife features. The Roundhouse, built in 2022, provides panoramic meadow views and hosts many Green Angels sessions. In 2025, volunteers helped construct the Cobb Shelter using natural materials, creating a covered space for activities and events. Visitors can also discover a bespoke bench by the pond, carved by Anthony Hammond in 2025 and depicting the lifecycles of dragonflies and frogs. Across the site, volunteer-built bug hotels provide habitat for insects, while a bird hide overlooks the wildlife pond from within the woodland. Look out for willow sculptures of a fox, deer and badger hidden around the reserve. Other features include a carved wildlife bench created by Anthony Hammond in 2022 and a woodland totem pole sculpture, commissioned the same year to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and celebrating the site’s tree species.
Sandbach,
Cheshire,
CW11 4XX
Formerly a sand quarry, the site was used for the disposal of sludges and demolition concrete from 1956 to 1989 following the construction of a containment bund. It has since been restored and now functions as a nature reserve.
In 2026 the site was awarded Local Wildlife Site designation by Cheshire Council anf Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Sites with this designation are identified for their significant habitats and species, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in the region.
