Exploring the Nature Reserve at Foremark
Discover a countryside gem at Foremark, a 230-acre nature reserve with woodland, grass heathland and open countryside to explore. Whether you've visiting for scenic walks in the great outdoors or birdwatching and wildlife spotting, your adventure in nature starts here.
Autumn in the Nature Reserve
Get out in nature at Foremark this autumn. Take in fantastic views on an autumnal amble and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on your travels around the nature reserve.
Autumn walks
As the leaves turn from green to golds and coppers, there's nothing more appealing than a walk through the woodland.
Foremark has plenty of woodland walks, providing the perfect seasonal escape into nature. Take in a crescendo of colour and enjoy crunching through leaves with every step. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for the fantastic fungi that appear at this time of year, from blight fly agarics to the other-worldly scarlet elf cups.
Green walk
This 2.5km (1½-mile) walk takes you through along the Bridleway through Scaddows Oaks Woodland and joins the reservoir walk, where you might spot Great Crested Grebe fishing in the water.
Orange walk
For a longer walk at Foremark, follow the orange waymarkers to enjoy a 5.25km (3¼-mile) circular walk with some steps, gates and steep slopes. You’ll visit Carvers Rocks Nature Reserve, woodland walks and views across the reservoir.
Looking for more?
Broaden your horizons and follow the National Forest way, which runs through Foremark and extends over 75 miles from Staffordshire to Leicestershire.
Autumn wildlife
Sprouting up from the ground or growing on trees and dead branches, fantastic fungi is a particular highlight of autumn. As you explore, look out for chicken of the woods, scarlet elf cups or fly agarics. Whatever you find, remember to snap a photo instead of picking, so everyone can enjoy this seasonal delight.
It's also a great time for bird watching, as colonies of gulls roost on the water at Foremark. Bring a pair of binoculars to spot them glide across the water.
The Bridleway
The Bridleway is a 2.5km multi-use linear route, offering views of woodland, hedgerows, farmland and across the reservoir. With a relatively flat terrain, the Bridleway is suitable for walkers, pushchairs, wheelchairs, cyclists and horse riders alike.
Share with care
Please be respectful of others around you, as we want everyone to have an enjoyable visit. As this route is shared by multiple users, we ask that you keep dogs on a short lead, including the nearby woodland, where dogs might then run onto the Bridleway.
Horse riding
The Bridleway is a great place to explore on horseback. Enjoy a peaceful ride along the compacted stone path and admire nature’s ever-changing scenery.
Horse riders are also welcome on a few of our other permissive paths, which are grass surfaced. Please look out for way markers showing multi-use paths.
If you’re looking for a longer ride, the Bridleway does connect to other public bridleways via short stretches of road riding.
Where can I park?
Horse boxes and trailers are welcome to use the dam wall car park during wet weather; however, when the ground is dry, please use the grassed areas along the access road to the dam wall car park. Remember to be considerate of other users when parking.
Carvers Rock
Carvers Rocks Nature Reserve is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its valuable geology and plant life. Here you'll find one of the last patches of lowland heath in Derbyshire, as well as veteran trees which provide valuable habitat for plants, birds, and insects.
Visiting with a dog?
Foremark is a great place to visit with your four-legged friend, with acres of woodland walks and open countryside to explore.
Please note that dogs aren't allowed in the water to protect them from unseen dangers in the reservoir and blue green algae.
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Visiting Foremark with your dog
Dogs are welcome to explore Foremark, where you’ll discover woodland walks, open countryside and reservoir views. Find out more about walking your dog here.
Water sports at Foremark
Burton Sailing Club offers a range of family-friendly water sports at Foremark, including windsurfing and offshore sailing, suitable for beginners through to the more experienced. All launching of watercraft must be through the sailing club.
Staunton Harold
Countryside space with wildflower meadows, woodland walks and open water
