Crook's Marsh

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Gloucestershire

England

Crook's Marsh

The M49 near Avonmouth The storage tanks are in ST5481. — The M49 near Avonmouth Credit: John Thorn

Crook's Marsh is a coastal marshland located in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated along the banks of the River Severn, near the village of Frampton on Severn. The marsh is characterized by its unique ecosystem, consisting of mudflats, salt marshes, and saltings.

Covering an area of approximately 200 hectares, Crook's Marsh is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity. The marshland provides a vital habitat for numerous species of plants and animals, many of which are rare or endangered. It is particularly renowned for its birdlife, attracting a wide variety of species throughout the year.

The mudflats of Crook's Marsh are exposed during low tide, providing feeding grounds for wading birds such as curlews, redshanks, and dunlins. The salt marshes, on the other hand, support a diverse range of plant species that are adapted to the salty and waterlogged conditions. These include samphire, sea lavender, and cordgrass.

In addition to its ecological importance, Crook's Marsh also has historical significance. The marshes have been used for grazing livestock for centuries, and evidence of ancient field systems can still be seen in the landscape. The area is also known for its traditional salt production, which dates back to Roman times.

Crook's Marsh is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, who can explore the marshland via a network of footpaths and bird hides. The area offers stunning panoramic views of the River Severn and the surrounding countryside, making it a picturesque spot for a leisurely stroll or a peaceful picnic.

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Crook's Marsh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.536204/-2.6617507 or Grid Reference ST5482. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The M49 near Avonmouth

The storage tanks are in ST5481.

John Thorn

Tree by Old Elizabethan's RFC

Tree covered in mistletoe on the edge of the rugby pitch, by Severn Road.

Linda Bailey

Man Made Embankment

The end of the man-made embankment looking south-east. The map and the actual ground features seem slightly different as the footpath actually starts by the end of the structure. Another photo of the structure is ST5580 : Man Made Structure in the neighbouring grid square.

Linda Bailey

End of the road

This road used to go to Vimpenny's Common according to the 1940's OS Map, now the M49 blocks the way and Vimpenny's Common is no longer there. The M49 is on the horizon.

Linda Bailey

Road by Brook Farm

Linda Bailey

Delivering the mail

The front entrance of a large Royal Mail warehouse and distribution centre near Severn Beach. This is a good location for distribution centres (and many other companies have warehouses nearby) as there is good access to the M5 and M4, and land values are relatively low.

Sharon Loxton

New Warehouse

This warehouse is so new that it's not on the most recent OS map. A large, temporary 'Currys' banner on the front entrance denotes ownership. It has been constructed on part of an area known as Dyer's Common, and more plots of the common are for sale.

Sharon Loxton

Dyer's Common

This rough, hummocky looking land is what remains of Dyer's Common. It is dissected by rhines and reed beds, and much of it is for sale.

Sharon Loxton

Sevalco Ltd, Severn Road, Chittening

This is Sevalco Ltd (owned by Colombian Chemicals Company) manufacturing plant. The plant produces carbon black (used in rubber, plastic, ink among other things). In 2004 Sevalco were fined £310,000 for releasing 17x the acceptable amount of cyanide into the Severn estuary.

Sharon Loxton

Seabank Power Ltd. power station

Seabank power station was built to meet the high demand for power in the south-west. It has 2 combined gas turbine generators, one commissioned in 2000 and the other in 2001.

Sharon Loxton

Severnside fertilizer works

This plant is owned by Terra Nitrogen UK Ltd. and manufactures ammonia and ammonium nitrate. Link

Sharon Loxton

Gas works

A view of all three gas containers from a field to the south.

Sharon Loxton

Gas container

A view of the sun striking the westernmost gas container with heavy rainclouds in the background.

Sharon Loxton

Gas works

A view of all three gas containers from behind the Selvaco carbon plant. The farm buildings in front of the containers are part of Minor farm.

Sharon Loxton

Electricity pylon

This pylon is one of a long line carrying power from Seabank power station towards Bristol.

Sharon Loxton

National Cycle Network route 41

Route 41, which goes from Gloucester to Bristol, of the Sustrans National Cycle Network runs alongside the A403 (just to the left) in this straight stretch.

Sharon Loxton

Ableton Lane

This overgrown, tarmac footpath is in fact the original road which ran south from Severn beach across the flat Severn flood plain to Avonmouth. On the 1888 map it is called Ableton lane and is the main routeway on the 1940 OS map. Land use in the Severnside area has changed drastically in the last 60 years and almost all of the old roads are now abandoned or used as cyclepaths. The farmland and farms are now industrial estates or manufacturing plants. This old road runs to the back of Avlon works where admittance is forbidden.

Sharon Loxton