Nature Reserves

There are many sites and areas in Broxtowe which are valuable for wildlife. Attenborough Nature Reserve is the largest site and this is managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in partnership with site owners CEMEX and Broxtowe Borough Council.

The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust also manage sites at Sellars Wood, Chilwell Meadows and Kimberley Cutting.

Similarly, the Woodland Trust run three sites at Brickyard Plantation, Oldmoor Wood and Holly Copse, all near Strelley. Nottinghamshire County Council has five sites, two at Kimberley, one at Nuthall, one at Awsworth and one at Cossall. Please see the map which accompanies the Nature Conservation Strategy for more details of all nature reserves and other sites with protection e.g. Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCS) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's).

The Council has also formally designated 13 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and has a policy to declare more sites whenever possible.

The current council LNRs are:

Nottingham Canal - Declared 1993 (30.6 Hectares)

Six miles of disused canal running along the Erewash Valley from Bramcote to Eastwood. Managed by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with BTCV.

Alexandrina Plantation, Bramcote - Declared 2005 (3.7 Hectares)

Grassland and oak/birch woodland near Thoresby Road, Bramcote. Managed in partnership with 'Friends of Bramcote Ridge'.

Bramcote Park Woodland, Bramcote - Declared 2008 (11.3 Hectares)

Off Ilkeston Road, Bramcote. Mixed woodland within large Green Flag park. Managed by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with the BTCV and the Bramcote and Stapleford Hills Public Open Space Forum.

Stapleford Hill Woodland, Stapleford - Declared 2008 (6.8 Hectares)

Across the road from Bramcote Hills Park site and dominated by the 'Hemlock Stone', a large stone monolith. Oak, birch woodland managed in the same way as Bramcote Hills Park.

King George's Park, Bramcote - Declared 2008 (3.2 Hectares)

Off Town Street, Bramcote. Part of this site is an LNR because of its rich grassland and established woodland. Managed by Broxtowe Borough Council.

Hall Om Wong, Kimberley - Declared 2008 (1.8 Hectares)

Off Eastwood Road, Kimberley. Part of this site parkland is designated as LNR. Varying age of woodland and grassland fringes provide valuable habitats linking to the park. Managed by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with BTCV.

Brinsley Headstocks, Brinsley - Declared 2008 (6.1 Hectares)

Off Mansfield Road, Brinsley. Site dominated by former mining headstocks but wide ranging habitats including grassland, woodland and wetlands. Managed by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with the 'Friends of Brinsley Headstocks'.

Sandy Lane Public Open Space, Bramcote - Declared 2005 (5.4 Hectares)

Similar in character to Alexandrina Plantation but with hint of heath land. Managed in partnership with the Friends of Bramcote Ridge.

Toton Fields, Toton - Declared 2009 (16.5 Hectares)

This reserve takes in parts of the Manor Farm and Banks Road Open Spaces, with the main access being via the Greenwood Community Centre off Banks Road. The site lies alongside the River Erewash with associated wetland species, wet grassland and young woodland.

Smithurst Meadows, Giltbrook - Declared 2010 (3.4 Hectares)

This site forms part of the A610 corridor and has interesting grassland and scrub areas and wetland species associated with the Daisy Farm brook.

Watnall Spinney, Watnall - Declared 2012 (0.9 Hectares)

Situated off Trough Road, this is a delightful mixed woodland with good access and the remnants of ancient fish ponds. The site has the remains of World War 2 bunkers which have been filled.

Watnall Green, Watnall - Declared 2012 (1.9 Hectares)

Lying on the corner of Trough Road and Holly Road the main wildlife habitats are grassland and hedgerow. Both features attract insect and bird populations to a popular amenity area.

Colliers Wood, Moorgreen - Declared 2012 (13.8 Hectares)

A former Colliery site this area now has diverse wildlife interest with plantations, wetlands and grasslands attracting insects and birds to this popular site. The site is managed by Broxtowe Borough Council in partnership with the Friends of Colliers Wood.