Brankley Pastures
{{Short description|Nature reserve in Staffordshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Brankley Pastures
| image =
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| map = Staffordshire
| map_width = 200
| map_caption = Location in Staffordshire
| type =
| location = near Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|52|47|16.8|N|1|45|15.34|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| grid_ref_UK = SK 166 212
| area =
| operator = Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
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| website = {{url|https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/nature-reserves/brankley-pastures}}
}}
Brankley Pastures is a nature reserve of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. It is about {{convert|2.5|mi|1}} miles north-west of Barton-under-Needwood, in Staffordshire, England.
Description
The area is part of Needwood Forest, which, around 1700, comprising seven estate, was an area of over {{convert|9000|acre}} of wood pasture, a mixture of grassland and woodland. In the enclosures of the 1800s, trees were cleared in Needwood Forest as the land was converted to agricultural use.[https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/nature-reserves/brankley-pastures "Brankley Pastures"] Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
There is a circular walk through the reserve. The trail includes Oakwood Pasture, an ancient woodland where the original wood pasture has survived. There is a long-term project — it will take hundreds of years — to recreate this landscape in the rest of the reserve. Acorns and other tree seeds are scattered, and cattle are introduced, enough to manage the grassland but few enough to leave the new trees unaffected by browsing.