The Spectacles

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Staffordshire Stafford

England

The Spectacles

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

The Spectacles, located in Staffordshire, England, is a natural site encompassing a series of interconnected water bodies including a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh. Spread over an area of approximately 50 acres, this picturesque landscape is known for its diverse ecosystem and stunning natural beauty.

The main attraction of The Spectacles is a large lake, which serves as the focal point of the site. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery, providing a serene and peaceful environment for visitors. Its crystal-clear waters are home to a variety of fish species, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. The lake also offers opportunities for boating and kayaking, allowing visitors to explore its tranquil waters and admire the surrounding scenery.

Adjacent to the lake, a smaller pool can be found. This pool is relatively shallow and serves as a breeding ground for several amphibian species, including frogs and newts. The pool's calm and secluded nature attracts a wide array of bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

Further within The Spectacles lies a peaceful pond, surrounded by reeds and water lilies. This pond provides a habitat for various aquatic plants and insects, creating a thriving ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy the sight of dragonflies hovering above the water or observe the colorful blooms of water lilies during the warmer months.

Lastly, a freshwater marsh completes the water bodies at The Spectacles. This marshland is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare plants and wetland birds. Visitors can explore the marsh via walking trails, observing the unique wetland habitat and the array of wildlife it supports.

Overall, The Spectacles in Staffordshire offers a captivating natural setting, where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of its interconnected lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh, while enjoying various recreational activities and discovering the diverse ecosystem it harbors.

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The Spectacles Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.776586/-2.3428369 or Grid Reference SJ7619. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Lily pads on the former Shrewsbury and Newport Canal
Lily pads on the former Shrewsbury and Newport Canal
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.
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.
Start of the Newport to Stafford Greenway A very good path / cycle path which was completed around eight years ago.
Start of the Newport to Stafford Greenway
A very good path / cycle path which was completed around eight years ago.
Former railway bridge on Newport to Stafford cycle path A bit different to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4095986">SJ7618 : Spruced up a bit</a> and even more so to <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1072938">SJ7618 : A railway line no more.</a>. The cycle path is well used and established now.
Former railway bridge on Newport to Stafford cycle path
A bit different to SJ7618 : Spruced up a bit and even more so to SJ7618 : A railway line no more.. The cycle path is well used and established now.
Looking south from the cycle path
Looking south from the cycle path
Newport LIDL Built in 2018
Newport LIDL
Built in 2018
Newport to Stafford Greenway cycle path Looking west towards Newport.
Newport to Stafford Greenway cycle path
Looking west towards Newport.
Newport to Stafford Greenway cycle path Looking east. A great cycle route along the disused railway line, there should be more of these.
Newport to Stafford Greenway cycle path
Looking east. A great cycle route along the disused railway line, there should be more of these.
Sign and stile to a public footpath
Sign and stile to a public footpath
A41 Newport bypass in cutting
A41 Newport bypass in cutting
Forton nursery Clearly the village's former school house, this now serves as a children's nursery. It was opened in 1972.
Forton nursery
Clearly the village's former school house, this now serves as a children's nursery. It was opened in 1972.
Forton Hall A Jacobean house, dating from 1665, and given a Grade II* listing in <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-443411-forton-hall-forton-staffordshire" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-443411-forton-hall-forton-staffordshire">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> It was built by Edwin Skrymsher of Eccleshall, who also had <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/566469">SJ7719 : Aqualate Hall</a> erected.
Forton Hall
A Jacobean house, dating from 1665, and given a Grade II* listing in LinkExternal link It was built by Edwin Skrymsher of Eccleshall, who also had SJ7719 : Aqualate Hall erected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show me another place!

The Spectacles is located at Grid Ref: SJ7619 (Lat: 52.776586, Lng: -2.3428369)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///candles.coping.upon. Near Newport, Shropshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.776586,-2.3428369
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.778001/-2.3371105
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.7786397/-2.3403726
Source: landsat
Lat/Long: 52.779227/-2.3423712
Turning Circle
Lat/Long: 52.774583/-2.3367622
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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