Firchild's Covert

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Firchild's Covert

Lily pads on the former Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Credit: David Martin

Fairchild's Covert is a serene and picturesque woodland located in Staffordshire, England. Nestled in the heart of the county, this enchanting forest covers an expansive area and is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The woodland is characterized by its dense canopy of towering trees, primarily consisting of oak, beech, and birch. The rich biodiversity of Fairchild's Covert is evident in its diverse flora and fauna. The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of wildflowers, including bluebells, primroses, and foxgloves, offering a mesmerizing display of colors during the spring and summer months.

With its tranquil ambiance and peaceful surroundings, Fairchild's Covert serves as a popular destination for various recreational activities. The forest boasts numerous walking trails and hiking paths, allowing visitors to explore its hidden corners and discover its natural beauty. Birdwatching enthusiasts will delight in the abundance of avian species that call the woodland home, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds.

Additionally, Fairchild's Covert is home to a diverse array of wildlife. Deer, foxes, and rabbits can often be spotted roaming freely through the forest, while squirrels dart playfully among the treetops. The nocturnal creatures that inhabit the woodland, such as bats and badgers, add an air of mystique to the area.

Fairchild's Covert is a true hidden gem in Staffordshire, offering visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature. Whether it be a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or wildlife spotting, this woodland offers something for everyone seeking solace in the beauty of the great outdoors.

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Firchild's Covert Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.785019/-2.3455869 or Grid Reference SJ7620. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lily pads on the former Shrewsbury and Newport Canal

David Martin

Shrewsbury & Newport Canal heading north-east

The Shrewsbury & Newport Canal has been partly restored as it passes through Newport but more as a feature in a linear park than as a navigable canal. Here the canal is seen to the north of the main part of the town, heading towards Meretown.

Trevor Littlewood

A41 Newport bypass in cutting

Peter Whatley

A41 approaching the A519 roundabout

Peter Whatley

Blacklane Bridge, Newport Branch, Shropshire Union Canal, 1965

In 1965 this abandoned canal looked as if only a little work could restore it. Sadly this is far from the case now. The bushes and mound on the right must have been bulldozed into the canal which is now level with the fields, and the lock beyond the bridge has gone, although the bridge survives, apparently in good condition. This was bridge 5 on the branch, and oddly carries Cliffs Lane, not Black Lane.

Robin Webster

Forton nursery

Clearly the village's former school house, this now serves as a children's nursery. It was opened in 1972.

Richard Law

Forton Hall

A Jacobean house, dating from 1665, and given a Grade II* listing in Link

It was built by Edwin Skrymsher of Eccleshall, who also had SJ7719 : Aqualate Hall erected.

Richard Law

The old canal heading for Norbury Junction

After falling into disuse before the 1960s, this branch of the Shropshire Union canal that ran from Norbury Junction through to Trench, Wappenshall and the East Shropshire coalfield, has now been filled in. I find this rather sad.

Richard Law

Bridleway gate and fence south of Sutton

Yes, it was as muddy as it looks, the cattle in the fields here had seen to that.

Richard Law

There's no avoiding it...

Try as we might (and Daft Dog didn't try very hard), walking through here on the bridleway means that you're going to get filthy. All good fun.

Richard Law

The west side of Thistleyfield Covert

These cattle are responsible for some fine muddy stretches in the field to the left, but this end of it seemed rather more grassy.

Richard Law

Bridleway on the south side of Thistleyfield Covert

This area borders part of the Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve, which surrounds the mere itself. It's leased from the estate by Natural England, and has a network of bridleways providing access around the reserve.

Richard Law

Bridleway heading towards Aqualate Mere

Daft Dog remains on the lead, as the next field holds a flock of sheep that he's not yet spotted.

Richard Law

Bridleway alongside Thistleyfield Covert

A good bridleway runs right along the south side of the wood, fairly firm underfoot/tyre/hoof. The same cannot be said of the same bridleway further west approaching Forton, which is a proper mud-fest in places at this time of year.

Richard Law

Bridleway bridge near New Guild

Although barely visible due to the undergrowth, and the fact that much of it has been washed out & collapsed, a traditional arched packhorse bridge crosses this tiny stream.

Richard Law

Bridleway through the woods

This woodland floor is a riot of bluebells in the spring.

Richard Law

Aqualate Mere

Or, rather more accurately, a distant view of the mere. From the north side, it's actually quite hard to get to, as the mere is very shallow generally, and the shore is marshy for a long way out. So it's a case of wade, or put up with a distant view. The mere itself is an Ice Age relic, a large kettle hole that formed when a remnant piece of the glacial icesheet remained embedded in the till, melting more slowly than the surrounding glacier. When it finally disappeared, it left a depression in the land which has been filled with water ever since.

Richard Law