Jackson’s Coppice and Marsh
Nestled in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside, Jackson’s Coppice and Marsh is a tranquil and enchanting nature reserve managed by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. The Coppice and Marsh boast a diverse range of flora and fauna.
This nature reserve has 8 hectares (20 acres) of ancient woodland and marsh and is about two and a half miles west of Eagle House Bed and Breakfast in Eccleshall. The site is open year-round, and there are a number of events and activities throughout the year, including birdwatching walks, nature photography workshops and more.
Whether you wander around the ancient woodland or take the raised boardwalk around the marsh it is definitely worth a visit.
Walking trails
Jackson’s Marsh
There is a raised boardwalk around the marsh providing a good even surface. However, access to the boardwalk from the carpark is not paved or boarded and there is a slight incline.
A walk around the marsh could take around 15 minutes. However, it is likely to take much longer as you stop to appreciate all of the flora and fauna.
Jackson’s Coppice
The trail around Jackson’s Coppice is an uneven dirt path which is steep in places.
A walk around the Coppice could take around 15 minutes but, much like the marsh, it is best to go slow and appreciate your surroundings.
About Jackson’s Marsh
Jackson’s Marsh lies along the River Sow between Offleybrook Mill and Walk Mill. The existence of the marsh is closely linked with the two mills with a dam at Walk Mill raising water levels as far back as the 1200s.
There is a boardwalk leading through a flooded alder woodland. Just upstream of Jackson’s Marsh, the River Sow splits into a delta of numerous narrow channels. The year-round water and fertile silts of the marsh provide the ideal conditions for all sorts of diverse plant life. Among the greater tussock sedge and seed sweel grass you will spot wetland plants like valerian, meadowsweet, ragged robin and yellow flag iris. You may even spot more unusual plants like southern marsh orchids, bogbean or Himalayan balsam. This provides an excellent habitat for insects like dragonflies and damselflies.
About Jackson’s Coppice
Jackson’s Coppice is best known for its display of beautiful bluebells in spring and lovely autumn colour later in the year.
The sandy soil provides easy digging for creatures such as moles and rabbits as well as being home to one of the largest badger setts in the county.
As its name suggests, some of the woodland areas were used for coppicing in the past. The wood is populated with long established oak, rowan and hazel. Sweet chestnut, beech and hornbeam were also introduced in the late 19th century.
With the dense growth of trees, the reserve has a particularly good range of woodland birds. The rich and varied birdlife includes nuthatchs, treecreepers, great spotted woodpeckers, warblers, long tailed tits, marsh tits, treecreepers, flycatchers, buzzards and more.
Finding Jackson’s Coppice and Marsh
Address
Jackson’s Coppice and Marsh
Sugnall
Cop Mere
Staffordshire
ST21 6HA
Car parking
There is a small parking area in the field adjoining the marsh. There is also a layby near the entrance to the coppice.
Map
OS map 243 – Market Drayton, Loggerheads and Eccleshall.
Please follow the countryside code and take care when walking on roads.
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