In the midst of a bustling market town and its surrounding villages, visitors can discover a peaceful retreat at local nature reserves (LNRs), which are protected green spaces dedicated to wildlife.
Local nature reserves help to:
- Encourage biodiversity
- Preserve and protect nature and wildlife
- Provide essential green corridors
- Create pleasant areas to visit
- Create opportunities to learn about nature and natural history.
Here are nine of Mansfield district’s nature reserves.
Which ones have you visited?
5. The Hermitage
This small nature reserve was once part of the gardens of Hermitage House. It is named after the belief that the Bishop of St David’s used this location as a religious retreat during Tudor times. In 1986, Mrs. Valance donated the site to the council as an open space for the benefit of the people of Mansfield, and it was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2004. The Hermitage is also home to the Kings Mill Viaduct, a grade II listed structure dating back to 1817, which was originally used to connect Mansfield to the Pinxton Canal. Today, the viaduct offers a panoramic view of the area and leads to the neighboring Kings Mill Reservoir. Photo: The Hermitage Nature Reserve - Mansfield (Facebook)
6. The Oakham
The Oakham was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2005 to replace habitats lost due to the construction of Oakham Business Park. Covering an area of 6.3 hectares, the Oakham features a diverse range of habitats, including wet willow woodland, ponds, rivers, and flower-rich dry and wet grasslands. The reserve is divided into two sections: north and south. The northern section can be accessed from Hermitage Lane and Hamilton Way, as well as from a pathway leading off Sheepbridge Lane. The Oakham is home to a variety of wildlife habitats, making it an important ecological area next to the River Maun. Photo: Nicola Beldham/Google review
7. Oak Tree Heath
Oak Tree Lane Heath was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1989, as part of the Strawberry Hills Heath SSSI, due to its significant botanical interest. . In 2004, it received Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status and is now one of the few remaining areas of lowland heathland in the county. Covering a total area of 11 hectares, the site is owned by Mansfield Council and is managed on their behalf by the Sherwood Forest Trust. The primary habitat at Oak Tree Heath is lowland heathland, which is considered a nationally rare habitat. Characteristic of Sherwood Forest, Oak Tree Lane Heath is steeped in history, as it was once part of a medieval royal hunting forest that included grazing land for cattle and sheep. Photo: Google Maps
8. Quarry Lane Nature Reserve
Quarry Lane was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2004 due to its significance for wildlife and the community. The history of Quarry Lane LNR is rich and begins at the Field Mill Dam located at the eastern end of the site. Next to the restaurant, there used to be a large stone water-powered cotton mill that was built between 1877 and 1889. Adjacent to the LNR is an old quarry known as Lindley’s Quarry, where massive blocks of stone were transported to the town centre and cut into smaller, manageable pieces. The River Maun flows through this reserve, eventually reaching Field Mill Pond. This site has many important historical features including Drury's dam viaduct, and the remains of the extensive mill building once the third largest in Europe. Photo: Rachel Atkins