King announces another set of National Nature Reserves
News
New National Reserve announced in the Manchester Wetlands
A vast expanse of lowland peatland between Liverpool and Manchester has officially been designated as the Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve, offering over 2.7 million people access to nature within ten miles of their homes.
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Restoring history
Launched on 14 July, 2025, under the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, the new site covers 11 interconnected locations and is a major step in restoring landscapes which were once central to the Industrial Revolution. The area’s peatlands, which are over 10,000 years old, are vital for carbon storage, flood prevention and wildlife habitats and were degraded through peat extraction and drainage – with this new announcement, they will now being carefully restored.
Home to species like curlews, lapwings, sundews and adders, the reserve forms part of the Great Manchester Wetlands recovery zone and strengthens connections with nearby NNRs such as Rostherne Mere and The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh.
The new designation not only celebrates the ecological importance of the peat but also reflects a shift towards sustainable, accessible natural spaces close to urban communities.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said,
“This part of England led the world in industrial innovation and today it shows leadership in nature recovery. Nature is vital for our health, wealth and security and this new reserve reveals the huge potential for meeting modern challenges through natural solutions. Spending time outdoors in natural settings is great for mental and physical wellbeing; the services provided by nature help prevent flooding, catch carbon and benefit the local economy.
“Supporting nature around urban areas creates better places to live and work, and this new reserve will allow the millions of people who live near it to experience nature at its best.”
A call to nature
Caravanners looking to explore the northwest’s wild side can now pitch up nearby and experience this recovering landscape first-hand.
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