Hem Heath Woods

Last updated

Hem Heath Woods
Sunset - Hem Heath Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 55039.jpg
Sunset at the reserve
Staffordshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location in Staffordshire
Location Hem Heath ST4 8FR
OS grid SJ 888 405
Coordinates 52°57′44″N2°10′11″W / 52.9622°N 2.1698°W / 52.9622; -2.1698
Area41 hectares (100 acres)
Operated by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Website Hem Heath Woods

Hem Heath Woods is a nature reserve of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

Contents

It is on the southern fringe of Stoke-on-Trent, England. Its northern boundary is at the A5035 road at Hem Heath; the southern boundary is adjacent to the Wedgwood visitor centre at Barlaston.

Description

The area of the reserve is 41 hectares (100 acres). There are four woods: the Oaks, at the southern end, is known to have been woodland for over 400 years; Newstead Woods, Newpark Plantation and Hem Heath were planted, on former farmland, in the mid-1800s. Although parts of the site may once have been heathland, there is no heath today. There is a network of walking trails in the woods. [1]

The woodland is managed so that it can regenerate naturally, and remain as woodland in the long term. Individual trees or small groups of trees may be felled so that a more open canopy will let seedlings establish themselves. The management of the wood is intended to ensure that a range of trees is maintained. The species include oak, ash, cherry, sycamore and beech. An understorey of woody shrubs is encouraged, including hazel, rowan and hawthorn, which provide homes for wildlife. [1]

Improvements in 2025

It was announced in November 2025 that, thanks to a grant from the Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Communities Fund, improvements would be carried out, including resurfacing of pathways and creating new waymarked trails, and planting of broadleaf trees subsequent to the removal of ash trees due to ash dieback. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Hem Heath Woods" Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  2. "£126k boost for woodland" The Sentinel , 22 November 2025, via PressReader . Retrieved 24 November 2025.