Habitat type: Heathland and wetland
Size of reserve: 1 hectare / 2.5 acres
OS map number: 104
Grid reference: SW 794 537 (southern entrance over Sunnyside Sanctuary)
Best time to visit: Summer and autumn for flowering heathland
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Directions
From Goonhavern, take the B3285 towards Zelah. A few hundred yards along the road opposite World in Miniature, take the track off to the left. Go over the stile and bear left across a field until you reach the heath. Please remember that this is a private footpath.
Access
Awkward, via a gateway in the south west corner with a walk along the western bank and a boardwalk to a gateway into the fields to the north. Stout, waterproof footwear is recommended as the ground can be uneven and wet.
Characteristic wildlife of this reserve
Bog myrtle is a low-growing deciduous shrub with dark green leaves that have many stalkless yellow glands which produce a resinous fragrance if the leaves are bruised or rubbed. The plant, once used as a fly repellent, is widespread. Before the use of hops, bog myrtle was used to flavour beer.
Wavy St John's wort is a key species associated with purple moor grass. It blooms in summer and grows to about 2 feet tall with bright golden star-shaped flowers and bright green leaves. St John’s wort was traditionally used to drive away sickness and to exorcise spirits.
Royal Fern is a distinctive and stately fern, growing up to chest height in a dense bushy clump, with brownish fertile fronds sticking up above the rest.
Other information
The site was once involved in galena (lead ore) mining. Silver was also recovered. The original engine house is still visible today, whilst many spoil heaps and capped mines are located across the moor.
