Top 8 Natural Monuments around Audley Rural
Best natural monuments around Audley Rural offer a diverse landscape for exploration. The area features unique ecosystems, varied wildlife, and sites with historical or legendary significance. Visitors can find 8 natural monuments, showcasing a blend of natural beauty and ecological importance. These locations provide opportunities to experience the region's natural environment.
Best natural monuments around Audley Rural
- The most popular natural monuments is Knypersley Reservoir Conservation Area, a natural monument that includes forest, lake, and nature reserve features. This…
Last updated: October 4, 2026
Gawton's Cave
Highlight • Natural Monument
I …
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The Grotto and Gene's Grave
Highlight • Structure
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Ford Green Reed Bed
Highlight • Natural Monument
It has been designated because large numbers of …
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Parrot's Drumble Nature Reserve
Highlight • Forest
Parrot's Drumble is one of the Trust’s finest ancient woodland nature reserves. Ancient woodland is a phrase used to describe woodlands that have been continuously covered by …
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Knypersley Reservoir Conservation Area
Highlight • Natural Monument
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Tips from the Community
Amazing little find whilst on the walk... makes you wonder!
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The Ford Green Reed Bed is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, designated because of the large numbers of swallows that gather there before migrating at the end of the summer.
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It's nice to reserve sections to the wildlife. The public still benefit as we are able to enjoy more species upon our visit.
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An ancient place Parrot's Drumble is one of the Trust’s finest ancient woodland nature reserves. Ancient woodland is a phrase used to describe woodlands that have been continuously covered by trees since the 1600’s. That doesn’t mean the trees here are 400 years old (most of the trees here are significantly younger than that!), but it does mean that for the last 400 years there has always been woodland on this land. This has enabled special woodland plants to become established and thrive. As well as the carpets of bluebells In spring you will also see dog’s mercury, wood anemone, yellow archangel and wood sorrel. Moschatel, more commonly known as Town Hall Clock, can be easily overlooked – look carefully for its pale green ‘square’ flower heads. You won’t find many of these flowers in more recently planted woodlands. So, where are the Parrots? The reserve derives it’s unusual name from a combination of its previous owners, the Parrot family, and a local term for a stream running through a wooded valley, drumble. You may not see anything quite as colourful as a parrot but the woodland is a wonderful place for birds, particularly in spring when an early morning walk would reward you with the wonderful sounds of the dawn chorus. Listen out for blue tits, willow tits, wrens and willow warblers. Both greater and lesser spotted woodpeckers are found here – listen out for them pecking holes in the tree trunks as they look for insects. Nuthatches and tree creepers can often be seen spiralling up and down the trunks of the mature trees. Unwanted visitor There are many different types of trees within the reserve: oak, hazel, birch, rowan and ash, with willow and alder in the wetter areas along the stream. A number of additional tree species have been planted at some time in the past. You’ll easily notice the large beech trees as you enter the reserve and the row of poplars along the boundary. But you may not notice the Turkey oak. Easily mistaken for our native oak Turkey oak was introduced by the Victorians for it’s timber. Unfortunately the timber was found to be unsuitable for outdoor use – warping and splitting as it seasons! Once planted however Turkey oak spreads easily and crosses (hybrdisies) with our own native oak. It is also of less value to wildlife – over 400 species of insects and fungi use our native oak. As part of the management of the woodland we aim to prevent Turkey oak from hybridising and ensure that the native oaks regenerate to provide future mature trees. Naturally appealing (or not)? Don’t be alarmed by the colour of the stream! The Valley Brook is contaminated by iron-oxide leaching from historic mineworkings in the area. Despite its startling appearance there is still an abundance of bankside vegetation with marsh marigolds, golden saxifrage and horsetails. Source: staffs_wildlife
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The Ford Green Reed Bed at the south end of the site is one of Stoke-on-Trent's two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It has been designated because large numbers of swallows gather there before leaving the country at the end of the summer.
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I have read that the 2 arches are tufa arches. That is, made of a soft, porous limestone.
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An awesome dolmen to which is attributed healing powers should one lie within it. Legend would have it that the local hermit, Gawton resided here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What unique natural features can I discover among Audley Rural's natural monuments?
Audley Rural offers a diverse range of natural features. You can explore Gawton's Cave, a distinctive geological formation with a cave-like recess within a large stone. Nearby, Wybunbury Moss National Nature Reserve features a rare 'schwingmoor' – a floating peat raft over a deep basin, along with unique bog plants like sphagnum moss and insect-eating sundew. Bateswood Nature Reserve, a former colliery, showcases nature reclaiming an industrial landscape with grasslands, pools, and diverse bird and insect life, including over 13 species of dragonflies.
Are there natural monuments around Audley Rural that are particularly good for birdwatching?
Yes, Bateswood Nature Reserve is an excellent spot for birdwatching, especially for skylarks whose songs fill the air in spring and summer. Other species like lapwings, chiffchaffs, and willow warblers are also present. Additionally, the Ford Green Reed Bed, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, is known for large numbers of swallows gathering there before their migration at the end of summer.
Which natural monuments are suitable for families with children?
Several natural monuments in the area are family-friendly. Knypersley Reservoir Conservation Area offers forests, a lake, and nature reserve features for exploration. The Grotto and Gene's Grave provides an interesting walk to a nature reserve with unique design elements. Parrot's Drumble Nature Reserve is an ancient woodland with easy paths, and the Ford Green Reed Bed is also suitable for family visits.
Can I bring my dog to the natural monuments in Audley Rural?
Yes, several natural monuments in the Audley Rural area are dog-friendly. Both Gawton's Cave and Knypersley Reservoir Conservation Area welcome dogs. King's Wood within the Trentham Estate also offers accessible and dog-friendly paths for a tranquil walk.
What kind of historical or legendary significance do these natural monuments hold?
Many sites have rich historical and legendary connections. Gawton's Cave is associated with local legends of healing powers, with a hermit named Gawton said to have resided and been cured there. King's Wood, an ancient woodland, is referenced in the Domesday Book and was once a royal deer park. The Grotto and Gene's Grave is a historical site featuring tufa arches and unique design elements.
Are there any natural monuments that are particularly good for easy walks or beginner hikers?
Wybunbury Moss National Nature Reserve offers waymarked paths and boardwalks that circle the southern part of the reserve, providing a peaceful and relatively easy walking experience. Bateswood Nature Reserve also has accessible walking routes through varied habitats. Parrot's Drumble Nature Reserve, an ancient woodland, features paths suitable for gentle strolls.
What outdoor activities can I do near these natural monuments?
The area around Audley Rural offers various outdoor activities. You can find easy hikes like the Bateswood Pool loop or the Bignall Hill Pond loop. For running, there are moderate trails such as the Audley Castle Hill – Miles Green High Street loop. Road cycling enthusiasts can enjoy routes like the St James' Church, Audlem loop. You can find more details on these activities and routes in the easy hikes around Audley Rural, running trails around Audley Rural, and road cycling routes around Audley Rural guides.
What is the best time of year to visit the natural monuments in Audley Rural?
Spring and summer are particularly rewarding. In spring, ancient woodlands like Parrot's Drumble and King's Wood are carpeted with wildflowers such as bluebells, wood anemone, and yellow archangel. Bateswood Nature Reserve comes alive with skylark songs and dragonflies. Late summer is ideal for observing large numbers of swallows gathering at the Ford Green Reed Bed before their migration.
Are there any natural monuments that showcase unique ecosystems or rare wildlife?
Wybunbury Moss National Nature Reserve is a crucial lowland peat bog with a unique 'schwingmoor' habitat, home to rare plants like bog rosemary and insect-eating sundew, as well as two rare spider species and a leaf beetle found nowhere else in England. Bateswood Nature Reserve, while reclaimed, supports a significant population of skylarks, diverse dragonflies, and a protected colony of great crested newts.
Where can I find ancient woodlands in the Audley Rural area?
Parrot's Drumble Nature Reserve is one of the finest ancient woodland nature reserves, continuously covered by trees since the 1600s. It features special woodland plants like bluebells, dog's mercury, and wood anemone. King's Wood, located within the Trentham Estate, is another significant ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, historically a royal deer park.
Are there any natural monuments with water features like lakes or reservoirs?
Yes, Knypersley Reservoir Conservation Area includes a prominent lake feature, alongside forests and nature reserve sections. Bateswood Nature Reserve also contains small pools and marshy areas that provide habitats for various insects and amphibians. Wybunbury Moss features a deep, water-filled basin beneath its floating peat raft.
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