Catherton Common
{{Short description|Nature reserve in Shropshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Catherton Common
| image = Catherton Common - geograph.org.uk - 2211266.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| map = Shropshire
| map_width = 200
| map_caption = Location in Shropshire
| type =
| location = near Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire
| nearest_city =
| grid_ref_UK = SO 624 778
| coordinates = {{coord|52|23|48|N|2|33|14|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|213|ha}}
| operator = Shropshire Wildlife Trust
| visitation_num =
| status =
| designation = Site of Special Scientific Interest
| open =
| website = {{url|https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/catherton-common}}
}}
Catherton Common is a nature reserve of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, between Cleehill and Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire, England.
It is heathland, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003146 "Catherton Common SSSI"] Natural England. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
Description
The area of the reserve is {{convert|213|ha}}; it is an uncultivated landscape, in which houses and smallholdings are dispersed. There is heather, including cross-leaved heath, and deergrass which is rare in Shropshire. In wetter places there is bog asphodel and sundew.[https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/catherton-common "Catherton Common"] Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
Bird species to be seen include Eurasian skylark, European stonechat, yellowhammer, and common linnet.
=Remains of mining=
Coal mining on Catherton Common and the adjacent Clee Hills is recorded from the 13th century to the early 20th century. A representative sample of the mining remains on Catherton Common is listed as a scheduled monument. The evolution of mining over the period is evident, from the early working of coal outcrops, to medieval bell pits, and shaft mounds where larger pits were sunk from the early 17th to early 19th century.{{NHLE|num=1014869 |desc=Coal mining remains and brick works on Catherton Common|accessdate= 29 September 2021}}