IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Moss Gate, WARRINGTON, WA3 6QX

The Visitor Centre and springtime bluebells from the path from the main entrance gates

This is the wooded part where the public have access.

The picnic area adjacent to the main entrance, taken from alongside the Ranger Centre after an early morning walk.

Originally, Risley Moss was one of the large series of mosses to the west of Manchester and at some point late in the late 19th or early in the 20th century, a peat cutting industry began in the mossland. Peat cutting on Risley Moss continued until about 1930. Part of Risley Moss was within the area that was compulsorily purchased for the Royal Ordnance Factory in 1939. It wasn't built on, because of the soft ground, but there was a large area of railway sidings on the edge of the moss and it was also used for dumping and possibly some testing. Afterwards it was left in a derelict and degraded state until the early 1970s. A detailed study of Risley Moss was conducted in 1972 by the newly created Warrington New Town Nature Conservation Group and Risley Moss Nature Reserve was officially opened in September 1980 by David Bellamy. Today, Risley Moss is owned and managed by Warrington Borough Council Ranger Service in partnership with the Risley Moss Action Group. It is both a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Site of special Scientific Interest (SSSI). http://www.2eimages.co.uk/places/birchwood/moss/index.htm

The entrance archway to Risley Moss Nature Reserve. It was unveiled in 2005 to celebrate the silver jubilee of the opening of the Nature Reserve. Originally, Risley Moss was one of the large series of mosses to the west of Manchester and at some point late in the late 19th or early in the 20th century, a peat cutting industry began in the mossland. Peat cutting on Risley Moss continued until about 1930. Part of Risley Moss was within the area that was compulsorily purchased for the Royal Ordnance Factory in 1939. It wasn't built on, because of the soft ground, but there was a large area of railway sidings on the edge of the moss and it was also used for dumping and possibly some testing. Afterwards it was left in a derelict and degraded state until the early 1970s. A detailed study of Risley Moss was conducted in 1972 by the newly created Warrington New Town Nature Conservation Group and Risley Moss Nature Reserve was officially opened in September 1980 by David Bellamy. Today, Risley Moss is owned and managed by Warrington Borough Council Ranger Service in partnership with the Risley Moss Action Group. It is both a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Site of special Scientific Interest (SSSI). http://www.2eimages.co.uk/places/birchwood/moss/index.htm

An area of peat bog located near Birchwood, Warrington. It covers an area of 210.5 acres.

The entrance archway to Risley Moss Nature Reserve. It was unveiled in 2005 to celebrate the silver jubilee of the opening of the Nature Reserve.