Granville Country Park
{{Short description|Nature reserve in Shropshire, England}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Granville Country Park
| image = Lodge furnace remains - geograph.org.uk - 293030.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Lodge Furnace remains
| map = Shropshire
| map_width = 200
| map_caption = Location in Shropshire
| type =
| location = near Telford, Shropshire
| nearest_city =
| grid_ref_UK = SJ 715 128
| coordinates = {{coord|52|42|43|N|2|25|24|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|24|ha}}
| operator = Telford and Wrekin Council
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Friends of Granville
| visitation_num =
| status =
| designation = Local nature reserve
| open =
| website = {{url|https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20629/local_nature_reserves/3866/granville_country_park}}
}}
Granville Country Park is a local nature reserve near Telford in Shropshire, England. It is owned by Telford and Wrekin Council, who work in partnership with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Friends of Granville.[https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20629/local_nature_reserves/3866/granville_country_park "Granville Country Park"] Telford & Wrekin Council. Retrieved 1 October 2021.[https://friendsofgranvillecountrypark.com/about/ "General Information"] Friends of Granville Country Park. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
Description
The reserve, area {{convert|24|ha}}, contains former industrial sites, since reclaimed by nature. There is woodland, meadows, a marsh and open water; former pit mounds are now grasslands and heath. These varied habitats support many species of plant, bird and insect.[https://www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/granville-country-park "Granville Country Park"] Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
=Muxton Marsh=
Muxton Marsh, within the reserve, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002720 "Muxton Marsh"] Natural England. Retrieved 4 October 2021. Its area is {{convert|7.3|ha}}. The western end is an uncultivated meadow, with plant species including yellow rattle, meadow vetchling and marsh thistle. The eastern end is wetter, a habitat for rushes, sedges and marsh arrow-grass. The eastern part includes the slopes of a former pit mound, where there is now woodland with alder and willow at its foot by the marsh.[https://friendsofgranvillecountrypark.com/nature-reserve/ "Nature Reserve"] Friends of Granville Country Park. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
=Remains of industry=
The remains of blast furnaces, a tub boat canal and a winding engine house can be seen.
The blast furnaces were the Old Lodge Furnaces, built by the Lilleshall Company, near an old hunting lodge that was demolished in 1820. They were in use from 1824 until 1888; they were demolished in 1905. Part of the brickwork of three of the furnaces remain.[https://friendsofgranvillecountrypark.com/industrial-history/ "Industrial History"] Friends of Granville Country Park. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://granvillecountrypark.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/granville-heritage-leaflet-final.pdf Granville Heritage Trail leaflet]
- [https://granvillecountrypark.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/granville-nr-leaflet-final.pdf Granville Nature Reserve leaflet]
Category:Local Nature Reserves in Shropshire