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English longhorn at Sandyforth: Industrial site turned nature reserve enters new phase of life

Long-horn cattle at Brockholes. Photo Credit: Lenny Hambrecht

Once the site of a huge open cast mine, Sandyforth in Wigan is now brimming with life - including the new arrival of five English longhorn conservation grazing cattle.

Adjacent to the M6 motorway in Wigan, Sandyforth is a wildlife haven restored from a once derelict opencast mine. Owned by Wigan Council, Sandyforth sits within the north-south flyway for migrating birds, and acts as a vital stepping stone between the Great Manchester Wetlands and other key habitats in the North West. Now, it will be a home to some of our beloved English longhorn conservation grazing cattle.

What has changed at Sandyforth?

Sandyforth has undergone an incredible transformation over the years. Up until the 1990s, it was subject to opencast mining. It was covered with a 6.5 hectare chasm which, at its deepest, was 45 metres below ground level. This chasm was surrounded by heaps of waste material, rocks and soil. Between 2002 and 2008, the mine was filled and the site was gradually restored into a public open space, one which is now treasured by locals.

Close up photo of a common toad

Common toad at Sandyforth (c) Julia Dixon

What’s next for Sandyforth? An exciting new phase is currently in progress. 

In an agreement funded by Highways England and Wigan Council, managed in partnership with The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and supported by City of Trees, Sandyforth has become part of the Wigan Greenheart landscape. A 30-year plan will see the condition of the reserve improve. Management by Wigan Council and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust has already led to species-rich habitats being established. Agricultural ditches have been re-meandered into natural streams, and new ponds make havens for common toads, frogs and their spawn. Skylark and yellowhammer can be heard singing. In early spring, peacock and orange tip butterflies fill the meadows. Kestrels and other birds of prey are common sight soaring in the skies above.

As part of the ongoing management, the reserve has been carefully prepared for the arrival of our English longhorn cattle, with brand new fences and gates replacing the previous infrastructure that was showing its age.

Two brown and white cows in a field

English longhorn cattle at Sandyforth (c) Julia Dixon

What benefits do conservation grazing livestock bring?

Our grazing project delivers tailored grazing services across the region, from which Sandyforth will now benefit. This includes:

  • Creating a varied sward structure, which in turn supports a rich and diverse array of wildflowers and other plants, supporting a variety of wildlife.
  • Controlling invasive and dominant species.
  • Preventing scrub encroachment.
  • Seed dispersal – hooves, coats and dung provides the perfect vehicle for wildflower seeds to spread naturally across the reserve.
  • Dunging – animal dung is the perfect fertiliser for natural habitats, creating pockets of higher fertility that benefit certain plant species. The dung itself also creates the ideal home for a variety of beetles and other invertebrates. 

Play your part

  • If you are visiting Sandyforth, please follow the guidance and signage on site, and take a few simple steps which can help keep both you and our animals safe and well.
  • Keep dogs on short leads - but let them loose in the unlikely event that the dog is chased by cattle.
  • Keep calm and quiet around animals.
  • Stick to footpaths where possible.
  • Do not feed the animals.

Find out more about our conservation grazing project

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