Gorsey Covert

Wood, Forest in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Gorsey Covert

Crossroads at Knightley The crossing of Riley Lane and Lodge lane close to the village of Woodseaves. — Crossroads at Knightley Credit: Trevor Littlewood

Gorsey Covert is a picturesque woodland located in Staffordshire, England. With an area of approximately 50 hectares, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful forested areas in the region. The woodland is predominantly composed of oak and birch trees, which create a dense and lush canopy, providing a habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

The forest floor is covered with a carpet of wildflowers during the spring and summer months, including bluebells, primroses, and wood anemones. This vibrant display of colors attracts numerous butterflies and bees, making it a haven for pollinators.

Gorsey Covert also offers several walking trails, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty. The paths wind through the woods, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and glimpses of wildlife such as deer and squirrels.

In addition to its natural beauty, Gorsey Covert has historical significance. It was once part of a larger ancient woodland that covered a significant portion of Staffordshire. Today, it stands as a remnant of this ancient forest and serves as a reminder of the area's rich natural heritage.

The woodland is well-maintained by local authorities, with designated picnic areas and benches scattered throughout, providing visitors with a place to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. Gorsey Covert is a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photography enthusiasts, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Gorsey Covert Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.814536/-2.3010877 or Grid Reference SJ7924. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crossroads at Knightley

The crossing of Riley Lane and Lodge lane close to the village of Woodseaves.

Trevor Littlewood

Christ Church at Knightley

Christ Church is located along the B5405 close to the village at Woodseaves.

Trevor Littlewood

Shropshire Union Canal

View from the High Bridge.

Richard Webb

A muddy field

Silage has just been taken off this field, and vehicle movements have made things muddy. A lone tree in the middle of a field is often a sign that there was once a hedge there.

Richard Webb

A 'Millennium Stone' on Grubb Street

Row17

Gateway to the Shroppie

Row17

The Cock Inn at Woodseaves

Row17

Workshops at Norbury Junction

Row17

Shropshire Union Canal - just north of Norbury

Row17

Woodland near the Shropshire Union Canal

Row17

Arable fields east of Norbury, Staffordshire

Seen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the woodland ahead is Little Campions; that by the right edge is Moat Covert.

Roger Kidd

Arable fields east of Norbury, Staffordshire

Seen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the woodland at the right edge is known as Little Campions. Straight ahead and more distant are Gorsey Covert and Ball's Rough, on the skyline.

Roger Kidd

Across the fields to Norbury Manor

The main manor house, and barn conversions, at Norbury.

Richard Law

Norbury Manor house

A fine Georgian style manor house, built using much of the masonry from the ruined 14th century house that originally stood within the nearby moat.

Richard Law

The original location of Norbury Manor

The square platform within this moat was the base for the 14th century Norbury Manor. It was built by Ralph le Botiller in the early 1300s, and sold to one Thomas Skrymsher in 1521. In the 1700s, it changed hands again, passing to George Anson of Shugborough in Staffs, but was in a generally poor state of repair by that time, and fell into disuse soon after. Demolition followed in the 1800s, and much of the masonry was re-used to build the current house a couple of hundred yards away SJ7923 : Norbury Manor house (Info from the on-site signage by Natural England)

Richard Law

New barn under construction

A large new barn is currently being built at the back of the existing buildings on this farm.

Richard Law

Barns, pallets and machinery

An assortment of farming paraphernalia in the tidy yard.

Richard Law

High Bridge 39 Shropshire Union Canal

The Shropshire Union Canal (from Autherley to Nantwich) was engineered by Thomas Telford and opened in 1835. There are long straight sections of this canal which required either embankments or cuttings to avoid the need for locks. Although this was a more difficult procedure, the end route was shorter and the progress for horse drawn working boats could be maintained with (hopefully) no stoppages. The canal (formerly the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal) was opened at a time when railways were making serious inroads into the canal companies' businesses. The current Shroppie north of Nantwich was formerly the Chester Canal, opened in 1779, and has wider locks and bridges. Boats up to nine feet in beam can still navigate this section; Telford's canal accommodates only narrowboats up to seven feet in beam.

Jo and Steve Turner

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Gorsey Covert is located at Grid Ref: SJ7924 (Lat: 52.814536, Lng: -2.3010877)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire