Silverdale Country Park

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Silverdale Country Park

This picturesque 83-hectare park was created on the former Silverdale Colliery and provides an enticing venue for the public to enjoy and where nature can

Silverdale Country Park was created on the site of the former Silverdale Colliery which closed in 1998 after leading Europe in Coal production at one time. Silverdale Country Park opened in 2011 after several years of remediation work to convert the site from the former pit to the Wildlife Haven the site has now become. Silverdale Country Park is designed to be a place for wildlife conservation and for the local community to enjoy quiet recreation and this can be done via a network of 8 miles of footpaths around the 200 acre park, most of which provide access for all. Working with schools and volunteers is a big part of Silverdale Country Park and several awards have been received for this community engagement. Silverdale Country Park has a variety of Wildlife habitats including Lakes, Meadows and Woodland. However, it is the bare ground habitats (which result from the colliery past), which attract the rare wildlife that led in 2015 to he site being designated as a Site of Biological Importance for its rare Birds, butterflies and invertebrates to name a few.

15/09/2026

🌿 Tiny trumpets at Silverdale Country Park!

Have you ever looked closely at the ground at Silverdale and noticed tiny, branching structures that look a little like miniature trumpets?

These are trumpet lichens, part of the fascinating Cladonia group of lichens.

Lichens are remarkable partnerships between a fungus and an alga and/or cyanobacterium. Together, they can survive in some pretty challenging conditions — including the open, nutrient-poor soils that can occur across former industrial and mining landscapes.

At Silverdale, nature has been reclaiming a landscape shaped by mining for decades. Today, the park supports a mosaic of habitats, including grassland, heathland, woodland and wetland.

🍃 Why are trumpet lichens interesting here?

Their presence can tell us something about the conditions on the ground. Some Cladonia species favour open, acidic and nutrient-poor habitats, and can be associated with heathland and other habitats where taller vegetation hasn't completely taken over.

Lichens are also sensitive to environmental conditions and can provide useful clues about changes in air quality and nutrient levels.

So while these little trumpets may be easy to overlook, they're part of the story of how nature is establishing itself on a landscape with a remarkable industrial past.

Next time you're walking at Silverdale, slow down and look closely. 🔎🌿

What tiny signs of nature's recovery will you find?

11/09/2026

🌿 Wildlife Watch: Field Slug & False Widow Spider 🐌🕷️

You don’t always have to look far to discover fascinating wildlife in Silverdale Country Park. Recently, we came across two very different creatures: a field slug and a False Widow spider.

🐌 Field Slugs
Slugs are an important part of the ecosystem. They help break down dead and decaying plant material, recycling nutrients back into the soil. They are also a valuable food source for many birds, mammals, amphibians and insects.

Their soft bodies mean they need damp conditions to avoid drying out, which is why you’re more likely to spot them after rain or in shady areas.

🕷️ False Widow Spiders
False Widow spiders are among the UK’s more recognisable spiders and have become increasingly widespread. They can often be found around buildings, sheds, fences and other sheltered locations.

Despite their reputation, False Widows are generally not aggressive and bites are uncommon. Like most spiders, they would much rather avoid us than interact with us.

🔎 Why do these creatures matter?
From the smallest slug to the spiders hiding in corners, every species has a role to play in a healthy ecosystem. Next time you’re out walking, take a moment to look beneath leaves, around tree bark and in quiet corners — you never know what you might discover!

🌳 Nature is all around us. Stop, look and explore!

06/09/2026

📸Our Autumn 2026/27 photography competition is live!

We can't wait to see your entries! To get involved, email your photographs to [email protected] along with the following information:
✔️ Your name
✔️ Site name of where the photograph was taken
✔️ Date the image was taken
✔️ Your social media account names (instagram/facebook)
❗Please note, photographs MUST be taken on Land Trust land to qualify. You can find our sites listed on our website.

Enter for the chance to win a £75 voucher. You don't have to be an avid photographer, all ages, abilities and photos taken on smart phones are welcome. For T&C's click here https://bit.ly/42KL8LM

04/09/2026

🌿A huge thank you to our Silverdale volunteers!💚

Back in August, our fantastic volunteers came together to help widen paths around Silverdale, improving visibility and making the area more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

We’re so grateful for the time, energy and care you all put in. Your hard work is making a real difference to our local environment and community. 👏

Thank you, volunteers, for everything you do!🌱💚

27/08/2026

🌿 Help us keep our country parks beautiful

Our hardworking ranger team recently cleared this huge load of rubbish from one of our country parks. 🗑️

We’d much rather see our rangers spending their time protecting wildlife, improving habitats and caring for our green spaces than dealing with rubbish and fly-tipping.

Fly-tipping is not only unsightly — it can harm wildlife, damage habitats and create hazards for visitors and our countryside.

When visiting our country parks and nature reserves, please remember:

✅ Take your litter home if bins are full
✅ Dispose of waste responsibly
✅ Never dump or leave unwanted items in our parks

Together, we can help keep our country parks clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone. 💚

Thank you to everyone who helps our ranger team care for our amazing green spaces.

25/08/2026

🌳 A sign of stress in our trees

Visitors to Silverdale Country Park may have noticed some trees beginning to lose their leaves during the summer.

While leaf loss is often associated with autumn, prolonged periods of heat and dry weather can place trees under water and heat stress. When conditions become challenging, trees can naturally shed leaves to reduce water loss and conserve energy.

This is a survival response — the tree is adapting to protect itself and prioritise the resources it has available.

🌿 Our trees are an important part of Silverdale Country Park, supporting wildlife, providing shade and contributing to the health and character of our green spaces.

As we experience increasingly challenging weather conditions, caring for and protecting our trees is more important than ever.

Sometimes, a tree dropping its leaves isn't giving up — it's conserving its energy to survive. 🌳

18/08/2026

🌿🫐 An early berry season at the Country Park! 🫐🌿

You may have noticed that the berries are appearing a little earlier than usual this year. The warm weather we’ve been enjoying has helped nature get ahead of schedule! ☀️

It’s fantastic news for our local wildlife, with birds, insects and other creatures making the most of this plentiful natural food source. 🐦🐝🦔

Next time you’re out exploring the Country Park, keep an eye out for the colourful berries and the wildlife enjoying them. 🌳💚

13/08/2026

🌡️🔥 HOT WEATHER WARNING – SILVERDALE COUNTRY PARK 🔥🌡️

With hot weather expected, please take extra care when visiting Silverdale Country Park.

🚫 NO BBQs under any circumstances. Dry grass and vegetation can catch fire extremely quickly. A BBQ, disposable grill or even a discarded hot coal can start a devastating wildfire, putting people, wildlife and the park at risk.

🔥 If you see a fire, do not approach it. Ring 999 immediately and give the emergency services your location.

🌊 NO SWIMMING in any water at Silverdale Country Park. Our water bodies are not safe for swimming and can contain hidden hazards, deep mud, submerged objects, steep banks and sudden changes in depth. Open water can also cause cold-water shock, even during hot weather.

☀️ Please stay hydrated, seek shade and take regular breaks during the hottest parts of the day.

No BBQs. No swimming. If you see a fire, call 999.

Please help us keep Silverdale Country Park safe for everyone. 🌳❤️

31/07/2026

🚫 Reminder to All Visitors 🚫

Please remember that BBQs and open fires are not permitted anywhere on the site.

With the hot and dry weather we've been experiencing, even a small fire can spread rapidly and put people, wildlife, and the surrounding area at serious risk.

If you see a fire or notice any signs of one, please call the emergency services immediately and report it as soon as it is safe to do so.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and protect our beautiful surroundings. 🌿🔥

30/07/2026

🌿 Love Parks Week: Thank you to our volunteers at Silverdale Country Park! 💚

This Love Parks Week, we’re celebrating the incredible people who give their time, energy and passion to care for our green spaces.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who support the work of our Groundwork West Midlands Rangers at Silverdale Country Park. From practical conservation tasks and habitat improvements to helping keep the park welcoming for everyone, your dedication makes a real difference.

Together, we’re protecting nature, improving access to the outdoors and creating a space where communities can connect with the environment.

Thank you for everything you do! 🌱

Would you like to get involved and volunteer at our country parks? We’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] to find out more.

Address

Newcastle Under Lyme

Telephone

+441925852005

Website

https://thelandtrust.org.uk/space/silverdale-country-park/

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