This 136-hectare nature reserve in Essex, England, features a mix of ancient woodland, grassland, and wetland habitats, providing a haven for local wildlife. The reserve has several walking trails, including the 12-kilometer Forest Trail, which takes visitors through a variety of landscapes and offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside. The park is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, including the rare and endangered Bechstein's bat. Visitors can explore the reserve's many hidden gems, including its ancient woodland, which dates back to the last ice age, and its picturesque ponds, which are home to a variety of waterbirds.
Stillington Forest Park is a fine example of a habitat that has been artificially created out of a former brownfield site and is now an important nature conservation area, being declared a Local Nature Reserve in February 2004 (in new terminology now a 'Local Wildlife Site' and listed in Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's 'Local Development Framework'). The park occupies the site of a former slagheap from a neighbouring ironworks. Most of the iron slag was removed prior to the 1970s when it was realised that 'stillite', a form of insulation, could be obtained from the slag waste. After the slag had been recycled, the site was left to revegetate naturally but its real potential as a wildlife and recreational resource was not recognised until the 1980s. In 1989, an ecological survey was undertaken prior to implementing a landscaping scheme. In 1995-1996 the restoration scheme was designed and implemented, which involved major re-profiling of the site and capping it with a layer of clay to cover any remaining slag. In April 1995 the management of the site was transferred to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council which created a network of informal footpaths, planted thousands of native trees and shrubs, created a nice wetland and incorporated a wildflower seed mix over the whole area. With the exception of an area of scrub in the north of the site, all of the habitats have been created artificially and are now maturing to form an excellent habitat not only for birds but also butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, mammals and other forms of wildlife.
A lovely place to visit for a short walk with the dogs and a little nature haven. A handy car park just by the church in Stillington. An even tarmac path runs through the middle of the nature reserve which makes it quite accessible. A number of other paths run in and around the reserve. Mainly woodland with some more open areas near the small lake with a number of picnic tables.
Beautiful place for a walk. Free parking near to church. Theres a pond plenty of people fishing there but once past its very peaceful lots of different trails to follow. Very natural lots of wildflowers and wildlife.
Good for kids
Dogs allowed
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Stillington Forest Park is a fine example of a habitat that has been artificially created out of a former brownfield site and is now an important nature conservation area, being declared a Local Nature Reserve in February 2004 (in new terminology now a 'Local Wildlife Site' and listed in Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's 'Local Development Framework'). The park occupies the site of a former slagheap from a neighbouring ironworks. Most of the iron slag was removed prior to the 1970s when it was realised that 'stillite', a form of insulation, could be obtained from the slag waste. After the slag had been recycled, the site was left to revegetate naturally but its real potential as a wildlife and recreational resource was not recognised until the 1980s. In 1989, an ecological survey was undertaken prior to implementing a landscaping scheme. In 1995-1996 the restoration scheme was designed and implemented, which involved major re-profiling of the site and capping it with a layer of clay to cover any remaining slag. In April 1995 the management of the site was transferred to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council which created a network of informal footpaths, planted thousands of native trees and shrubs, created a nice wetland and incorporated a wildflower seed mix over the whole area. With the exception of an area of scrub in the north of the site, all of the habitats have been created artificially and are now maturing to form an excellent habitat not only for birds but also butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, mammals and other forms of wildlife.
A lovely place to visit for a short walk with the dogs and a little nature haven. A handy car park just by the church in Stillington. An even tarmac path runs through the middle of the nature reserve which makes it quite accessible. A number of other paths run in and around the reserve. Mainly woodland with some more open areas near the small lake with a number of picnic tables.
Beautiful place for a walk. Free parking near to church. Theres a pond plenty of people fishing there but once past its very peaceful lots of different trails to follow. Very natural lots of wildflowers and wildlife.
