About the Moss
Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses NNR
Fenn's, Whixall, Bettisfield, Wem & Cadney Mosses Site of Special Scientific Interest, straddling the English/Welsh border near Whitchurch, is of international importance for wildlife.
The Mosses are one of the most southerly lowland raised bogs in Britain and, at 948 hectares (2,340 acres), are the third largest.
You can download a leaflet describing this reserve.
Lowland raised bogs are slow-
Raised bog plants and animals are now rare as so many bogs have been drained for peat cutting or for conversion to farmland or forestry. In ten years, commercial peat cutting for gardening or fuel can remove peat that took one thousand years to form.
Location and access
The reserve is 6.5 km south west of Whitchurch, 16 km south west of Wrexham, south of the A495 between Fenn's bank, Whixall and Bettisfield. There is roadside parking at entrances, and a large car park at Manor House. There is also a bus service which passes nearby.
The reserve is near Route 45 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Tracks, accessed through squeeze gaps, are grassy or peaty and generally level. The firmer, flat canal towpath is accessible by ramp/path from the Morris's and Roundthorn Bridge car parks. Disabled people can drive along the level stony old railway line by arrangement. There are pubs and small shops nearby.
The natural environment can be hazardous. Please:
The Mosses Trails
The three interlinking circular trails contrast the rainwater-
In a joint venture between Natural England, the Countryside Council for Wales and British Waterways, the three trails start from either Morris's Bridge (SJ 493355) or the Marl Allotment at Roundthorn Bridge (SJ 501357) on the canal. They link to the Manor House NNR Base, Whixall, and Fenn's Old Works on the disused railway line in Bronington.
The trails range from 2 km to 4 km long and can be combined to create longer walks of up to 7 km. The routes, marked by a series of arrowed posts, are easy to walk.
See also:
The Fenn's & Whixall Mosses History Trail leaflet
Bettisfield Moss Trail leaflet
Mending the Mosses
The Mosses are still one of the best lowland raised mires in Britain, despite near-
Walk through the outer wood and scrub to the central quiet wilderness of restored peat cuttings under their expansive open skies. In the wetter areas, peatforming carpets of our 13 Sphagnum bogmoss species and snowy spring-
Nature bounces back
Today, 1,900 species of invertebrates thrive on the Mosses; large heath butterflies, white-
Help to save the world's bogs
Britain has a large proportion of the world's raised bogs. We are all responsible for caring for them. Bogs counteract global warming by forming peat. Using peat in your garden releases this carbon, and robs rare creatures of their home. You can help by: