Shire Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve
Situated in South East Sheffield, the Shire Brook Valley contains over 100 hectares of land protected for Nature Conservation and recreation. The Reserve is open to the public all year round.
Local Nature Reserve status was gained for the valley in 1999, including five distinctive sites:
- Shire Brook Valley – containing the brook, ancient meadows, 30 years of woodland planting and five ponds. Beighton Marsh – a marshland habitat and home to the Harvest Mouse and Great Crested Newts
- Birley Spa and Silkstone Ravine – with a range of mature specimen trees and heathland
- Wickfield Plantation – one of the few remaining areas of lowland heath and coppiced Oak woodland
- Red Hills – an area of newly planted trees, recovering from land fill operation
A 5 year woodland management plan was written by Fountain Forestry in 2006 and is being implemented as funds allow.
2009 update!
Finance has now been secured to undertake an Ecological Survey and develop a Management Plan for the wider valley – including the Local Nature Reserve, Linleybank Meadow and adjoining woodlands. See map below. The work will be carried out during the 2009 / 10 financial year. If you have any ecological information or suggestions for the future management of this important 150 hectare site, please contact us.
The Shire Brook Valley woodlands are also part of the South East Sheffield Woodlands Project
Public events are run at weekends and in the school holidays in the Shire Brook Valley by the Ranger Service. See the Ranger Events Diary for more information.
There are opportunities to volunteer within the valley as part of the work the Ranger Service does, or with one of the 3 active groups based there.
Three information leaflets are available for those who wish to visit the site and find out more.
'Shire Brook, The Forgotton Valley', published in 2007 has been written by local people about the fascinating history of the valley.
The reserve has two visitor facilities (both disabled accessible):
- Shire Brook Valley Visitor Centre, Stone Lane, Woodhouse – used by a wide range of groups including; schools, youth groups, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, local clubs and organisations. For directions, see the Map attached below. Nearest bus stop - Coisley Hill.
- Birley Spa Victorian Bathhouse, Birley Spa Lane, Hackenthorpe is used by a variety of groups and also available for private bookings.
Anyone wishing to organise visits, report problems or send in ecological records should contact Chris Smith on 0114 275 1176 or by email at chris.smith@sheffield.gov.uk
Downloads
Presentation about working as a Ranger in the Shire Brook Valley (1.72 MB)
Presentation to celebrate the completion of a 3 year Wildspace! project in the Shire Brook Valley (710 KB)
Map showing the Shire Brook Valley Visitor Centre location, with written directions. (25 KB)