Habitat type: Grassland, estuarine mudflats, wetland, woodland disused quarries, hedgerows
Size of reserve: 61 hectares / 150 acres
OS map number:108
Grid reference: SX 419 576 (down Wearde Road) or SX 417 582 (behind St Stephen's Church)
Best time to visit: Summer for butterflies and flowers
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Directions
From A38 Saltash bypass, take right turning at Saltash Industrial Estate roundabout into Callington Road. Go straight over next roundabout, at traffic lights go straight over continuing along Callington Road. At the mini-roundabout turn right into Church Road past Saltash College, then straight over the next mini-roundabout into St Stephen’s Road. At the junction turn left and then right into Wearde Road. Park past yard on left hand side. Entrance to reserve on right.
Access
Limited roadside parking. The majority of the site is accessed via permissive footpaths and there are some public rights of way. In some areas access is restricted because of farming management. There are some hard surfaces that lead to the heart of the site, affording access to wonderful views, but many of the footpaths can be wet and slippery, with some inclines.
Characteristic wildlife of this reserve
The colourful goldfinch can be seen year round at Churchtown Farm, sometimes in large flocks. This is a small red-faced bird with rich gold patches on its wings. They benefit from the management of arable fields here which provide a valuable source of seeds for these and other farmland birds.
The redshank is a medium sized wader with grey-brown plumage and orangey-coloured legs and bill base. During flight, its pointed white rump and broad white trailing edge to wing make it easily recognisable. The redshank does not breed in Cornwall, but it can be seen on the estuary throughout the year excepting a few weeks in late May and most of June.
Other information
Nearby is Antony House. This is one of Cornwall's finest 18th Century houses and has been the home of the Carew family for almost 600 years.
Lowhill and Forder quarries were worked in the 19th Century for hornblende dolerite, often known as green stone, an igneous rock used as roadstone. At the entrance to Lowhill Quarry, the contact between the dolerite and the Wearde sandstone can be seen.
Churchtown Farm is a Community Nature Reserve, involving local people in all areas of its life.
