Derwent Meadows (c) Kayleigh Wright

Derwent Meadows (c) Kayleigh Wright

Derwent Meadows (c) Kayleigh Wright

Derwent Meadows

Caring for Courtauld’s Wood – Derwent Meadows

A tree safety assessment carried out in 2024 identified several trees within this woodland that require work to ensure they do not pose a hazard to neighbouring facilities.
A separate survey has shown that many trees within the woods could be home to bats, which are a protected species. We are working with Derby City Council and Severn Trent to organise bat surveys by ecological specialists to ensure the tree management is delivered sensitively and follows Natural England guidance.

In the meantime, please avoid walking through the large poplar trees within the woodland and avoid entering the woodland in extreme weather.

If you would like more information please contact Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on 01773 881188 or email our team at enquiries@derbyshirewt.com

Location

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Derwent Meadows is situated along Fernhook Avenue, Derby, DE21 7HW

Know before you go

Size

18 hectares

Entry fee

Parking information

There is no official parking at the site.

Grazing animals

Yes, sometimes

Access

Access to the reserve is via Fernhook Avenue. There is a riverside path that leads from Alvaston Park through to the site. The site is approximately a 2 mile walk from Pride Park. There is an excellent cycle path, national cycle route 6, that runs from Derby City Centre.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Teeming with life all year round. Summer for wildflowers and pondlife.

About the reserve

The nature reserve is a mosaic of habitats comprising wet and dry grassland, reedbed, hedgerows, ponds and deciduous woodland. The grasslands abound with knapweed, bedstraw, sneezewort and bird foot trefoil.

Listen out for the often heard but rarely seen Cetti’s warbler with its staccato song ‘chewee–chewee–chew–chew–chewee –chewchewchewchwee’.

A number of bat species can be seen flitting along the tree lines and across the water during the summer and autumn months, feeding on insects emerging from the ponds and wet ditches.

The River Derwent is home to a number of wildlife species, take a walk along the river and you might see grey herons, little grebes and kingfishers.

The 18.5 hectare site is owned by Goodman, who invested in local infrastructure and the creation of a dedicated wildlife area when work on Derby Commercial Park was completed in 2007. Derby City Council and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are now in partnership to manage the site.