Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve — Attraction in Stoke-on-Trent

This is a great little place to escape the pressures of life. Has a good car parking area situated right next to Ford Green Hall. Unfortunately the building has been shut for a considerable time period. We were promised that it would be opening as a visitors center but unfortunately that has not happened yet. This area is great for dog walking although dogs need to be kept on a lead around the specific parts of the Nature reserve due to wildlife.

If you are an explorer or want to get more active there is an active geocache route along the whole of this area and all the way through around the mines, cycle path and along to sneyd green way.

Some of the route is not accessible by wheelchair/pushchair but there is a public pedestrian /cyle and bridle path that can take you all the way from the nature reserve to many many miles from there.

This nature reserve will lead you around several ponds. A farm running just behind the area where cows and horses can be seen easily.

Fishing is allowed through certain ponds but not the main nature reserve area. No day tickets necessary, just make sure you have a valid Rod licence.

Following the path on across will come across Chatterley whitfield mining museum which is one of the most complete mines left in the country. You will also see the old railway tracks that have many years been unused.

Plenty of wildlife all around and on a rare occasion it has been possible to observe the red footed falcon that sometimes stops over on migratory routes. Buzzard, barn owls, kestrel etc.

Downsides to this area are not because of the area.. please jeep a look out for cyclists as on a few occasions they have raced at great speed and not used a bell until last second ending up with a faceplant into a ditch. Unfortunately it is targeted now and again by local children during the summer who see fit to set fires and destroying much loved habitat. The very occasional teens on a motorbike ripping through but nothing that is usually detrimental to most of the days enjoyments.

On some of the bridges you may be lucky enough to see the fire services do practice rescue drills and runs over the side of the bridge.

All in all a great place to visit walk around, enjoy a picnic or a drink on a warm summer day and even the...

I love this place for many, many reasons. Firstly, I live just seconds away from the nature reserve that is right next to it! It also has a huge spoil heap from the disused Chatterley Whitfield Coliery that I've nicknamed sunset hill, as you'd never know it was once a spoil heap, as nature has well & truly taken over, & from the summit you get great views as well as sunsets, hence the nickname! It's also got 3 free to fish, fishing pools, all with some very big fish in!! Obviously you still need a rod license, so please buy one, as the Angling Society needs the money more than ever, with the current stare of the waters in the UK right now. There's a full sized football field too, & great views of the old Coliery, which nature has well and truly taken over, giving a wonderful view! Though personally I'd love it to become a museum again, but I doubt that will happen. But I highly recommend whether going for a walk, cycle, fishing, bird watching, & just getting out & exploring! As I say it's right next to Ford Green Nature Reserve, so if you want a bigger walk just add on the beautiful...

I have lived reletively close to Whitfield Valley Nature reserve for many years but I rarely make use of it these days. On the occassions I have, I have sadly experienced anti-social behavour such as motorbikes riding the pathways, kids attacking wildlife, dogs running riot chasing cycles, broken glass over the pathways, druggies standing in bushes and pestering people, dirty nappies, rubbish, youths shouting abuse, setting fires to the grasslands, etc etc. Its such a pity because it really is turning into a beautiful nature reserve, wirh loads of paths to explore. Route 55 also passes through which is a fantastic cycle route (why I was visited the nature reserve). I see that there are now 2 cameras up on the hill, not sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign! Its a large area that needs daily patrols from the Police/PCSO/Rangers but I guess there isnt the funding. I wish we could carry tazzers and...