Once the site of coal and clay extraction, as well as a thriving brickworks, the Old Brickworks Nature Reserve was reclaimed by nature after the industry left. The post-industrial landscape of small pools, grassland, and patches of scrub created ideal conditions for amphibians, and by the 1990s, the area was home to large populations of frogs, toads, and newts.
In 1997, with funding from the National Coalfields Programme, the 22-hectare site was remediated and designated as a nature reserve. Today, the site supports a range of woodland, wetland, and meadow habitats and is classified as a Site of Biological Interest, offering a peaceful escape in the heart of the urban environment.
Open access
There is no designated car park
7 minute walk from Brickworks Road bus stop
Kissing gates on site are fitted with RADAR key access, which members of the public can apply for, and the main southern area of the site can be accessed easily without the need to pass through a gate. Paths are flat and well‑suited for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, making exploring the site straightforward and comfortable. Benches have been installed at regular intervals throughout the main body of the site which provide welcoming rest points, allowing visitors to pause, take in the views, and enjoy the wildlife at their own pace
There are no toilets available on site
There is no cafe on site
Picnics are welcome on site, please take all rubbish home with you
There is no children's play area on site
Surfaced footpaths run throughout the site
Responsible cycling is permitted on site, please be considerate of pedestrians. There are no facilities to store or lock bikes
Well-controlled dogs welcome, please ensure your dog has good recall before allowing off-lead. Dogs must be on lead near water bodies and conservation areas, to protect wildlife and prevent embankment erosion
Formerly a busy hub of coal,clay extraction and home to a thriving brickworks, Old Brickworks Nature Reserve tells a powerful story of transformation. After industry moved on, nature reclaimed the land, shaping a unique post‑industrial landscape of tranquil pools, wild grassland, and scattered scrub. These conditions proved perfect for wildlife, and by the 1990s the site had become a thriving haven for amphibians, supporting impressive populations of frogs, toads, and newts. In 1997, thanks to funding from the National Coalfields Programme, the 22‑hectare site was carefully remediated and officially designated as a nature reserve. Today, visitors can enjoy a rich mosaic of woodland, wetland, and meadow habitats, all within easy reach of the surrounding urban area. Recognised as a Site of Biological Interest, Old Brickworks Nature Reserve offers a peaceful escape where wildlife, history, and nature come together, creating a wonderful place to explore.
Keys Park Road,
Hednesford,
Cannck,
WS12 2HA
The Old Brickworks is situated within an area previously used for mineral extraction and the site of a thriving brickworks which was later utilised as a landfill site by the colliery board and subsequently remediated and developed into a public open space which is currently managed as a nature reserve.
