Common Farm

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust purchased Common Farm in March 2024 with many thanks to the generosity of members and donors supporting our appeal. The site has historically been a mixed-use farm, mainly farmed for livestock and offered an extremely exciting opportunity to see nature’s recovery at the heart of the Derwent Valley.

Location

Common Farm
Spanker Lane

Nether Heage

Derbyshire

DE56 2AT

OS Map Reference

SK 36056 50585

View on What3Words

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Know before you go

Size

34 hectares

Entry fee

Free for all visitors

Parking information

Currently no parking on site

Bicycle parking

Currently no parking on site

Grazing animals

Animals will likely be grazing the site at points throughout the year.

Walking trails

There are public rights of way on site, including a short surface access track. Please note that the majority of footpaths currently cross grassy fields, so they may be more challenging to navigate in wetter seasons.

Access

A public footpath forms a loop around the site, and DWT is considering creating additional access opportunities.

Dogs

On a lead

Well-behaved dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead when livestock are on site and during bird nesting season.

When to visit

Opening times

Open 24/7

Best time to visit

Spring/Summer - tbc

About the reserve

DWT will be taking a rewilding approach to managing this site. After carrying out baseline surveys to understand what is already present, we will be able to determine how best to kickstart natural processes to facilitate nature’s recovery.

It is expected that hedgerows will begin to expand, pockets of naturally regenerated woodland may start to establish, and the land will begin to hold more water by blocking man-made drainage systems that currently carry water off the site rapidly.

Open grassland areas will become more species diverse through a mixed and low-intensity grazing approach.