Rostherne Mere NNR
Rostherne Mere NNR is on the northern fringe of the 'Meres and Mosses' Natural Area, part of a series of meres in the north-west Midlands.
County: Cheshire
Main habitats: Open Water
Area: 152 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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Rostherne is the deepest (30 m) and largest mere in Cheshire and has long been a focus for freshwater research.
To view a map of this reserve, click here: (175kb)
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Being exceptionally deep for a natural lowland lake, the mere's water rarely freezes over and, in hard winters, can support large numbers of wintering wildfowl, particularly pochard. Mallard, teal, pintail and shoveler are also regular visitors and in cold weather ruddy duck, gadwall and goosander often visit the site.
As well as open water, the reserve area includes associated reedbed, woodlands and grazing land. Woodland on the reserve supports all three native woodpecker species together with sparrowhawk and kestrel. Scrub areas are home to reed bunting, willow warblers and whitethroat.
The reserve supports a number of butterfly species, most notably white-letter hairstreak, purple hair streak and common blue.
The best time to visit the reserve is during the winter, for wildfowl on the mere.
Please note that access to the reserve is limited to permit holders.
Location and access
The reserve is less than 0.5 km south of the M56, north of - and almost immediately adjacent to - the village of Rostherne. The reserve's western boundary is formed by the A556.
By car, access to the reserve is via minor roads from the A556 and A50.
The nearest train station is in Ashley, served by Northern Rail.
Rostherne is on Regional Route 70 (Cheshire Cycleway) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Facilities
There is an observatory on the site equipped with toilets that allow disabled access. The nearest refreshment facilities are in local villages.
There is a hide at the reserve and signs and leaflets are provided for visitor information.
