Near Newcastle on Clun, Shropshire

Rhos Fiddle Nature Reserve

Mixed-habitat reserve

Place photograph

7.1

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Wild

Feel

WetlandHillsRemote countrysideWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

7.1

A 75-hectare hilltop of wet heath that has retained a striking sense of ancient wildness amid the surrounding green farmland.

Rhos Fiddle earns its place for the contrast between its open hilltop, wet heath and surrounding agricultural landscape—and for the rare plants and wildlife supported by this surviving fragment. It is a place to take slowly: expect tussocky ground, not an easy surfaced trail.

Wild · Big-sky · Peaceful · Ancient-feeling

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Near Newcastle on Clun, Shropshire

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The experience

Come for the hilltop’s open skies, wet heath and wildlife rather than a defined, easy walking circuit. The Trust identifies curlew, snipe and dragonflies here, as well as distinctive bog plants. Allow time to watch and look closely, and be prepared for difficult, tussocky ground.

Things to do

Take in the big skies from the road edge

If the tussocky ground is unsuitable, the Trust says the reserve’s big skies and atmosphere can be appreciated from the edge of the road.

Check before visiting

Look for wet-heath plants

Check the wetter ground for sphagnum mosses, cotton grass and bog asphodel.

Check before visiting

Search the drier grassland for yellow mountain pansy

The Trust recommends looking in the drier grassland for this now-scarce hilltop plant.

Check before visiting

Watch and listen for wetland wildlife

The pools and wet heath are noted for wading birds, particularly curlew and snipe; dragonflies are plentiful too.

Check before visiting

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours

Quick escape: take in the hilltop heath

01
Park in the small pull-in by the cattle grid; the postcode SY7 8QT gets you to the vicinity.
02
Check the ground and access before setting out: the reserve is tussocky and can be difficult to walk.
03
Explore only as far as conditions and your ability allow, taking time to look across the open hilltop and its pools.
04
Look for wet-heath plants and watch for wading birds and dragonflies.

Verified history

Shropshire Wildlife Trust describes Rhos Fiddle as a large surviving fragment of heathland that has retained continuity with the past, in contrast to the agricultural pastures around it. The supplied source does not give dates or a more detailed human history.

Hidden details

Yellow mountain pansy in the drier grassland — Look in the drier grassland from April to June for yellow mountain pansy, described by the Trust as now scarce on Shropshire’s hilltops.

Bog plants in the wet ground — Look for sphagnum mosses, cotton grass and bog asphodel in the wetter parts of the reserve.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · Check before visiting

The Trust lists April to September as the best time to visit. April to June offers a chance to look for yellow mountain pansy in the drier grassland.

Expect wet, uneven and tussocky terrain; the source row advises suitable footwear and notes that winters can be muddy. Check conditions before visiting.

What to look for

Look for pools in the wet heath, sphagnum mosses, cotton grass and bog asphodel in the wetter ground. In drier grassland from April to June, look for yellow mountain pansy. Curlew, snipe and black darter dragonflies are among the wildlife highlighted by the Trust.

The story

A surviving heathland hilltop described by Shropshire Wildlife Trust as retaining continuity with the past.

Best time to go

April to September; April to June is a good time to look for yellow mountain pansy in the drier grassland.

The reserve’s published visiting season is April to September. From April to June, look in the drier grassland for yellow mountain pansy; go prepared for wet, uneven terrain.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Practical information

Opening & access

Open at all times with no entry fee. The reserve has difficult, tussocky terrain; contact Shropshire Wildlife Trust for access information. The Trust says the big skies and atmosphere can also be appreciated from the edge of the road.

Parking

Small pull-in by the cattle grid, with room for two cars. Postcode SY7 8QT gets you to the vicinity.

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs must be kept on a lead. Grazing animals and ground-nesting birds are present.

Accessibility

Terrain can be difficult and tussocky. Contact Shropshire Wildlife Trust for access information; the reserve’s big skies and atmosphere can be appreciated from the road edge.

Cost

Free

Water

Pools