Brickcroft Nature Reserve, Longton

The Brickcroft Nature Reserve, located in the heart of Longton, is regarded as an escape from urban life.

Longton Brickcroft was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1998 that has three large ponds formed by excavation of clay for brick making, with a number of smaller dipping ponds around the site.

The whole area forms an oasis in the middle of housing and intensively cultivated land and a wide range of wildlife can be observed from the pathways including a changing population of birds that enjoy the habitat of the south lake.

The visitor centre and displays around the paths contain informative displays on the site's history and the wildlife you can find there.

In 1881 a strip of land was purchased by the "West Lancashire Railway Company". In 1891 Mr. John Bentley bought the land to the south of Longton Bridge Station and built the house "Rydal Mount" for himself.

In 1897 he sold some of his land to Thomas Ward and Company, who started brick manufacture soon afterwards.

The 1911 Ordnance Survey Map shows a single clay pit stretching from the station to Drumacre Lane, the area now known as the middle pond. The same map shows a brick kiln on the other side of Liverpool Road.

The Ordnance Survey Map of 1945 shows the pits known now as the middle and north ponds as disused, and the active clay diggings as being on the south side of Drumacre Lane.

The Second World War saw a large house called "The Grove" in its own grounds (now Grove Park) was used as a depot by the Royal Army Service Corps who, together with the Home Guard, used part of the Brickcroft for training. They had a rifle range and grenade throwing area at the east side of what is now the North Pond.

In the 1950s the brickworks was sold by Thomas Ward & Co. to the Bentley Brickworks Company, who continued to make bricks into the 1960's. Production finally ceased at about the same time as the railway closed in 1964 as part of the nationwide closure of railways under the Beeching plans.

In 1975 the site was surveyed for plants and animals and types of habitats. The information gained from these surveys, together with the wishes of the local people to protect the site, led to the Department of the Environment proposing the formation of a nature reserve in 1977.

Longton Brickcroft Visitor Centre

Originally opened in 1993, the centre attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year to enjoy the displays and interactive features.

In 2001 a new extension to the visitor centre was opened, which gave the opportunity to expand displays and encourage better use by schools and local groups.

Site staff run an educational programme for school children and other groups, perform practical maintenance and generally interpret the reserve for visitors. The site also has a dedicated group of volunteers helping to look after it.

The site has retained Green Flag award since 1998.

There are few remaining areas of such diverse habitats in the North West, and the swamp habitat is especially valuable with many similar habitats, once common in the local area having been lost through the drainage of land for agriculture.

The reserve is perfect for a cycle through nature or walking the dog on a lead.

Whether it's a Sunday walk or an escape from normality, Brickcroft is a refreshing return to nature for visitors. With vantage points dotted around the paths giving a great view of the changing population of seasonal birds, like Chiff Chaffs and Blackcaps who migrate here for the summer.

It is a five mile walk around the reserve, and a circular two mile walk around the ponds popular with regulars.

Displays are dotted around the site to indicate what animals you should expect to see based on the climate, time of year and habitat. The regular residents, like geese, ducks and swans are always fun to feed too.

The sight of a Kingfisher or a Crested Grebe fishing and eating from the ponds is hard to find elsewhere, so a country escape hidden in Longton will give you a unique experience.

Key details:

Address: Longton Brickcroft Nature Reserve visitors centre, Liverpool Rd, Longton, Preston, PR4 5YY.
Free car parking
Visitor centre (opening times apply) generally Thursday to Sunday, 12.30pm to 4pm.
Public toilets (opening times apply)
To check the centre is open, staff at the reserve can be contacted on 01772 611497.