Greasley Parks and Open Spaces

• Local Nature Reserve
• Picnic Tables
• Dipping Platforms
• Multi-Purpose Auditorium

Colliers Wood is situated on Engine Lane in Eastwood (near to Moorgreen) and was the former Moorgreen Pit site. Today the area is open to the public and its beauty and facilities attract walkers as well as an array of local wildlife.

It is a community woodland which forms part of the Greenwood Community Forest in Nottinghamshire. The wood has been designed to restore the woodlands and fields which existed before the mine was developed. The woodland and the adjoining industrial land were created through a restoration scheme during 1996-1997.

The site was seeded with wild grasses and flowers. Hedgerows and thousands of trees were planted and two ponds were created. An extensive footpath network has also been created around the site.

The Friends of Colliers Wood are dedicated to enhancing the site for the beneficial use of local communities. This has included involvement in tree planting projects, sponsored dog walks on the site, maintenance of areas, litter picking and working with local school groups.

In Summer 2018 the open space celebrate 10 years of the Green Flag Award in recognition of the high standards of maintenance, community involvement, sustainable working practices and the open spaces heritage value. 

Friends of Colliers Wood

The Friends of Colliers Wood are looking for new members for the group to help with the valuable work of looking after this unique developing woodland area and assist with their ever-expanding programme of events and activities. To get involved please visit The Friends of Colliers Wood website. (Opens in a New Window)

Landscape and Literature

The nearby town of Eastwood has long been associated with the literary figure of D.H. Lawrence who was born there in 1885. Lawrence's father, a miner worked at his native Brinsley, the sister pit of Moorgreen. Lawrence used local characters and events as a source for many of his books and described the landscape of the area as 'the country of my heart'. In his novel 'Sons and Lovers', Lawrence renamed Moorgreen, Minton pit, which he described as a 'large mine among cornfields'.

Woodlands

The trees at Colliers Wood show the characteristics of local woodlands which are dominated by Sessile Oak. Other species such as Hazel, Rowan, Willow and Scots Pine are also found, beneath which Hawthorn, Guelder Rose, Dog Rose and Holly grow. In a young wood, the developing trees and glades provide ideal habitats for a wide range of plants, animals and insects. 

Ponds and Wetlands

 Many birds, insects, amphibians and mammals rely on ponds for food, shelter and nesting places.  The two ponds at Colliers Wood have different depths of water to encourage a greater variety of plants to grow around them and more wildlife to use them. 

Around the margins of the ponds are wetlands areas where different plants will grow. Shrubs and trees such as Willow and Alder will grow at the top of the bank, while further down, plants such as water mint and yellow flag iris thrive.

View Colliers Wood Map and Guide (.pdf) (8.07MB) (Opens in a New Window)

View the Colliers Wood Management Plan (.pdf) (5.46MB) (Opens in a New Window)

View the Woodland Management Plan (.pdf) (5,350KB) (Opens in a New Window)