Natural England - South Solway Mosses NNR

South Solway Mosses NNR

South Solway Mosses NNR is a composite of three large lowland raised bogs: Bowness Common, Glasson Moss and Wedholme Flow.

Where: Cumbria

Main habitat: Lowland raised bog

Why visit: The three mosses that make up the South Solway Mosses NNR, Bowness Common, Glasson Moss and Wedholme Flow are lowland raised bogs – peat bogs. The reserve (land owned and leased by Natural England) covers 1000ha of the South Solway Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which cover some 2000ha and which also includes the nearby Drumburgh Moss - another lowland raised bog, part of which is owned by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and managed as an NNR.

Star species: Local plant life includes a range of sphagnum species, hare's-tail cotton grass, bog rosemary, cranberry, and cross-leaved heath. All three native sundew species are present.

A range of breeding birds is found on the reserve including sparrowhawk, curlew, snipe, sedge and grasshopper warblers. Invertebrates found include large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket and banded demoiselle dragonfly.

Please note

You should wear suitable footwear on the reserve – wellies are required except on the boardwalk on the north edge of Glasson Moss.
Sometimes there is machinery operating on the reserve; please keep away unless you need to contact the operator. If you do, approach from the front, stop before you get too close and wait for the operator to stop.
Deep peaty pools can be found all over the bogs, if you step in you'll get wet and mucky but it is easy to get out. Be aware there are also a number of deep, steep-sided open water filled drains; please treat these like any other natural water body - don’t enter if you don’t think you will get out.

Walks around the reserve

Wedholme from car park circular routes: yellow – 2.5km, blue – 3.6km, red – 5km - all on peat. (Moderate/wet)

Glasson North from Cottage and Glendale Caravan Park around boardwalk and back: 2.6km - gravel track/boardwalk. (Moderate/wet) (Suitable for wheel chairs from the parking spot)

Glasson South – from West entrance (Kirkbride – Bowness on Solway Road) to South entrance (Whitrigg Common – Kirkbride to Glasson road): 1.2km or 2.4 km round trip – peat

Bowness Common – North Plain (RSPB Reserve) to Rogersceugh Farm: 3.4km (Hard/wet)

Longcroft to Rogersceugh: 1.8km (Easy/dry)

Glasson Moss to Rogersceugh: 1.6km (Easy can be wet)

Mountain Bike
Longcroft to Glasson Moss via Rogersceugh: 3.3km - gravel with locked gates but pedestrian gates allow access for bikes and people.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome, but should be kept on the lead, particularly during the bird breeding season (April to end of July) but preferably at all times as there are always birds about. Please clean up after your dog and take any dog waste home with you.