Carnarvon Stroll l Teversal Village Circular l Silverhill Wood Walk l Sculpture Trail
Brierley Forest Walk l Nature Trail l The Lady Chatterley Trail l Lady Spencer's Walk
Three Village Walk l Pleasley Vale Walk l Easy Access l The Teversal Running Trail

Nature Trail
5 miles

From the Visitors Centre pass through the gate and turn right and follow the trail for approximately 1 mile. Pass through the next gate and turn left following the trail for 1 and a half miles.

On reaching the road, cross over to the trail and follow it towards Pleasley Colliery. Take the first turn on the left, keeping Pleasley pit on your right and follow the lane for 100 yards and then turn left onto the trail.

Follow the trail for approximately 2 and a half miles, crossing the road at the ramp. At the end of the trail cross the stile, turn left down the steps, left again onto the road and follow the signs back to the Visitors Centre.

Area 1: This part of the trails is usually damp and shaded, ideal conditions for speckled wood butterfly and southern hawker dragonfly. Where the sun does shine through, other butterflies, dragonflies and other insects including hoverflies may be found. Look for water havens and common twayblade amongst other flowers. Woodpeckers may be seen or heard in the adjacent woods.

Area 2: This part of the trails, including the adjoining Teversal Pastures, is a site of special scientific interest. Many species of wild flowers may be found, including agrimony and common spotted orchid.

Area 3: This area has been developed for wildlife and is an excellent site for viewing over the adjacent farmland for birds such as rook carrion crow, pigeon, lapwing and partridge. If you are lucky, a fox may be seen crossing the fields. If you sit quietly you may see many other forms of wildlife. Hopefully, frogs and newts will return to breed in the future.

Area 4: This is the best site on the trails network for butterflies, with 22 species seen in recent years. Because the area is so good, we ask you to please keep to the footpath. Many interesting flowers grow here, including yellow-wort, blue fleabane, St John's wort and wild strawberry.

Area 5: Another site of special scientific interest, where both skipper and orange tip butterfly can be found. The locally uncommon rest-harrow grows opposite a patch of gorse on the top of the embankment. A seat nearby overlooks farmland and further away, Norwood. Tree pipit, kestrel and yellowhammer are among several species of birds in this area and fragrant orchids grow here.

Area 6: This part of the trail is being managed by a strimming and cutting regime, to produce an area for wild flowers and grasses, which will in turn increase the number of butterflies. This again is a sensitive site, and we therefore ask you to please keep to the footpath.

Up to 100 species of birds may be seen annually along this trail. Common birds such as robin, blackbird and wren are easy to see, but others, such as long-tailed tit, yellowhammer, goldcrest and woodpeckers are more difficult. With time and patience, all of these and more can be found.

Over 20 species of butterflies have been recorded on the trails, and with a little experience, 12-15 species may be found on any sunny day in high summer. 9 species of dragonflies have been recorded, but due to a lack of standing water they can be scarce. Hopefully, with the conservation management work being carried out to rectify this, their numbers will increase.

Grey squirrel, rabbit, hare, hedgehog and fox, along with stoat and weasel, are some of the mammals you may come across.

To increase your chances of seeing wildlife, a pair of binoculars, quietness and patience are needed. Remember, it is an offence to pick wild flowers and disturb nesting birds - leave them for others to enjoy.

If you find any unusual birds/flowers or require any further information, please contract the Trails Network Ranger, Loz Brooks on 01623 811378 or 0850 478223.