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Location This nature reserve lies by the eastern side of the Glasgow to London railway line. It is at the end of a private access track leading off the south of Chorley Lane in Charnock Richard, and across a privately owned pasture. Chorley Lane leaves the western carriageway of the A49 Wigan to Preston road just north of the "Hind's Head" public house, about 4km north of Standish and the same distance south of Euxton. Motor vehicles can be parked with permission in the car park of the nearby "Dog and Partridge" public house, off Chorley Lane. |
Access The site is open only to members of The Wildlife Trust. However, the Trust's right of access lies across adjoining private land, and a gate must be climbed to gain entry to this from the public road. Dogs should not be brought onto the site as they may disturb grazing livestock. Status The site is owned by The Wildlife Trust. It is a 1.2 ha Site of Special Scientific Interest (known as Charnock Richard Pasture SSSI) designated under the terms of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). |
Freeman's Pasture
Nearest towns: Charnock Richard, Standish, Coppull, Chorley, Wigan, Euxton
Grid reference: SD 564 154, Landranger 108, Explorer 285
This small, wildflower-rich pasture is situated on a steep, south-facing slope in the valley of the Clancutt Brook, which flows between the villages of Coppull and Charnock Richard, south-west of Chorley and north of Wigan. The main West Coast railway line runs past it. It is divided into two fields by a derelict hedge, now undergoing restoration. A small area of scrubby, oak woodland occurs in one corner. The site is one of the very few, species-rich grasslands remaining in Lancashire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside.
The pasture is exceptionally diverse, with over 120 plant species having been recorded in the recent past. Many are characteristic of very old grassland. The drier areas support an abundance of Devil's-bit scabious and dyer's greenweed. The latter only thrives where grazing pressures are low. Adder's-tongue fern is also present in the sward. It is another species very intolerant of intensive grazing and frequent use of fertiliser.
