Walton Moss NNR
Walton Moss NNR is an important raised mire system.
County: Cumbria
Main habitats: Peatland
Area: 20 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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As well as Walton Moss the reserve includes parts of the adjacent Broomhill, Glebe and Breaks Mosses.
Most of the Moss is typical raised mire dominated by sphagnum species, but there are also areas of modified mire, where purple moor-grass, hare's-tail cotton-grass and rush species predominate. Small areas of birch-dominated woodland and scrub occur on the periphery of the Moss.
The reserve is home to rare mosses and liverworts, the rare bog rosemary and all three native species of sundew.
The Moss supports breeding populations of black and red grouse, curlew, snipe, redshank and short-eared owl.
Local invertebrates include the large heath butterfly and moths such as the silver hook, dark tussock and Manchester treble-bar.
Please note there are no public rights of way across the reserve and parts of the Moss are difficult and dangerous to cross. For these reasons visitors should contact the site manager in advance. For details email Natural England's Cumbria office, or telephone 01697 350005.
Location and access
The reserve is 7 km north of Brampton and 15 km north east of Carlisle. The nearest villages are Hethersgill (2 km to the west) and Walton (2 km to the south).
By car, access to the area is via minor roads from the A6071 and B6318.
The nearest train stations are in Brampton and Carlisle served by Northern Rail. For details of bus services from Carlisle to Walton go to the Traveline website.
Hethersgill is on Regional Route 10 (Reivers Route) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network which passes near the reserve's northern boundary.
Facilities
The nearest toilet and refreshment facilities are in local towns and villages.
