Once a busy gravel quarry the site has been reclaimed by nature and is now one of the best wetland bird-watching sites in the Trent Valley, if not the county.
It is also now home to Derbyshire’s first beaver population in 800 years following a ground-breaking project by the Trust in 2021 when two adult pairs of beavers were released. Under the terms of the species reintroduction licence the site had to be entirely enclosed with beaver-proof fencing to keep them within the nature reserve boundaries, but we were still very keen to maintain the same level of access for visitors as before, so the site is still accessible free of charge 24/7.
To enhance our visitor's experience and to facilitate a long-aspired aim of increasing access within the Willington area, we secured funding to carry out a range of access improvements. These include a bridge over Egginton Brook onto Cemex land to join up two parts of a broken historical trackway and create a circular loop accessible at a number of points that utilises existing footpaths in the area and the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath.
To aid viewing of the nature reserve and perhaps allow a glimpse of the secretive beavers a new, high-viewing platform will be installed in a part of the reserve not previously accessible to the public. A new path will be installed to the viewing tower and bridge. The existing trackway will undergo drainage works and surface improvements in certain areas to facilitate access, even in the wet winter months. To guide visitors around the new loop there will be hand-carved way marker posts and interpretation panels with clear maps. Benches to both rest on and enjoy the surroundings will be the final enhancement in strategic locations.
Despite securing some funding in early 2021 the work has been delayed by a number of factors outside of our control including changes in planning laws, losing contractors through Covid or changes to their business after Covid lockdowns, shortages of materials and staff changes. This has understandably led to some confusion and concern amongst those who support the project about its future but we were always working hard to keep the project going and find solutions to the many issues that arose. Most recently we have been able to get the planning permission required for the viewing tower and secure the materials needed for the interpretation panels and way marker posts. Track works have been started and will continue to progress as the supply of materials and ground conditions allow, but we are confident we will be able to complete all the work in time for an early summer opening.
We have been kindly supported by Co-op Community Fund, Veolia, Mansfield Building Society Charitable Trust, Transforming the Trent Valley project and Willington Parish Council in this project and we are very grateful to all our funders for their ongoing support and patience.
Take a look at the new interpretation panel artwork that shows the wider landscape route.
