Aqualate Mere

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Staffordshire Stafford

England

Aqualate Mere

Sign and stile to a public footpath — Sign and stile to a public footpath Credit: Row17

Aqualate Mere is a picturesque freshwater lake located in Staffordshire, England. Spanning an area of approximately 50 hectares, it is considered one of the largest natural lakes in the region. The mere is nestled within the Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve, which covers an extensive area of wetland habitats.

The lake is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty, with tranquil waters reflecting the surrounding landscape of lush greenery and diverse wildlife. Its origin can be traced back to the retreat of the last Ice Age, when meltwater filled a depression in the landscape, creating this stunning natural feature.

Aqualate Mere is home to a wide range of plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The site is particularly renowned for its variety of waterfowl, including different species of ducks, swans, and geese. Throughout the year, visitors may also spot rare and migratory bird species, such as bitterns and ospreys.

The lake is not only a vital habitat for wildlife but also serves as an important recreational area for locals and tourists alike. It offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and leisurely walks along its shores. The surrounding wetland area provides a haven for various amphibians, insects, and plant species, further enriching the ecological diversity of the site.

Overall, Aqualate Mere is a captivating destination that combines natural beauty, biodiversity, and recreational activities, making it a cherished gem within the Staffordshire landscape.

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Aqualate Mere Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.780725/-2.338318 or Grid Reference SJ7720. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sign and stile to a public footpath

Sign and stile to a public footpath

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.

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.

Forton nursery Clearly the village&#039;s former school house, this now serves as a children&#039;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 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&#039;t try very hard), walking through here on the bridleway means that you&#039;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&#039;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&#039;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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Bridleway through the woods

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

Aqualate Mere Or, rather more accurately, a distant view of the mere. From the north side, it&#039;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&#039;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.

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.

The bridleway back towards Forton Dry and pleasant at this end where it runs through the Nature Reserve and adjacent to the woods; it&#039;s rather a quagmire in places towards Forton.

The bridleway back towards Forton

Dry and pleasant at this end where it runs through the Nature Reserve and adjacent to the woods; it's rather a quagmire in places towards Forton.

A track down to the lane A farm track, but also a part of the bridleway network that runs around the northern side of the Aqualate Park and mere.

A track down to the lane

A farm track, but also a part of the bridleway network that runs around the northern side of the Aqualate Park and mere.

The bridge over the Wood Brook

The bridge over the Wood Brook

Wood Brook A small stream that rises over to the NE near Norbury Junction, and flows into Aqualate Mere in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SJ7720">SJ7720</a>. An old packhorse bridge crosses it in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3230830">SJ7720 : Bridleway bridge near New Guild</a>

Wood Brook

A small stream that rises over to the NE near Norbury Junction, and flows into Aqualate Mere in SJ7720. An old packhorse bridge crosses it in SJ7720 : Bridleway bridge near New Guild

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Aqualate Mere is located at Grid Ref: SJ7720 (Lat: 52.780725, Lng: -2.338318)

Administrative County: Staffordshire

District: Stafford

Police Authority: Staffordshire

What 3 Words

///unfair.unpacked.computers. Near Newport, Shropshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.780725,-2.338318

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.778001/-2.3371105

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7786397/-2.3403726

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.779227/-2.3423712

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7833246/-2.3428837

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7829269/-2.3410965

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7832352/-2.3385344

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7830379/-2.3355421

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7823197/-2.3343287

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7817751/-2.3337375

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7809767/-2.331223

Source: landsat

Lat/Long: 52.7779647/-2.3329911

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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