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Downs Banks
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Downs Banks
Downs Bank, also known as Barlaston Downs, is an area of open countryside, located two miles (3 km) north of the town of Stone in Staffordshire, and four miles (6 km) south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is owned and managed by the National Trust.
The property covers about 166 acres (67 ha) and consists of a glaciated valley with a stream running the length of the property from North to South. Other habitats include woodland and heathland.
The heath has been subject to a restoration project by the National Trust, which resulted in the re-introduction of summer-grazing cattle on the hillsides of the property in 2005. The cattle help to keep bracken and scrub birch trees under control, and to allow a variety of old grasses, heather, plus bilberry, gorse and broom to regain habitat. It is hoped that this will encourage species such as viviparous lizards to increase in population.
The footpaths and bridleway suffer from erosion due to their heavy use. Local people help National Trust staff by becoming volunteers, carrying out tasks such as litter clearing, footpath work, fencing and habitat management.
The stream through the property was seriously polluted with diesel oil in April 2008, originating upstream from beyond the reserve. Since then it has recovered and has a healthy fish population, including European bullhead and brown trout. .
As of 2020[update] there is no rail service to the nearby Barlaston railway station, the station having been closed to trains in 2003 , although the line remains busy with passenger and goods traffic. A Crewe to London via Stoke on Trent passenger service now stops at Stone railway station – access to the Downs Banks is then by a two-mile walk along lanes and footpaths.
The site is 'open access' on foot to all. As well as footpaths there is also a waymarked bridleway which may be used with care by horse riders and cyclists. There is an unsurfaced car park.
The site is popular with dog walkers, both amateur and professional. In the summer of 2008 two bins were erected for dog waste: local National Trust members raised the funds for these bins.
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Downs Banks
Downs Bank, also known as Barlaston Downs, is an area of open countryside, located two miles (3 km) north of the town of Stone in Staffordshire, and four miles (6 km) south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is owned and managed by the National Trust.
The property covers about 166 acres (67 ha) and consists of a glaciated valley with a stream running the length of the property from North to South. Other habitats include woodland and heathland.
The heath has been subject to a restoration project by the National Trust, which resulted in the re-introduction of summer-grazing cattle on the hillsides of the property in 2005. The cattle help to keep bracken and scrub birch trees under control, and to allow a variety of old grasses, heather, plus bilberry, gorse and broom to regain habitat. It is hoped that this will encourage species such as viviparous lizards to increase in population.
The footpaths and bridleway suffer from erosion due to their heavy use. Local people help National Trust staff by becoming volunteers, carrying out tasks such as litter clearing, footpath work, fencing and habitat management.
The stream through the property was seriously polluted with diesel oil in April 2008, originating upstream from beyond the reserve. Since then it has recovered and has a healthy fish population, including European bullhead and brown trout. .
As of 2020[update] there is no rail service to the nearby Barlaston railway station, the station having been closed to trains in 2003 , although the line remains busy with passenger and goods traffic. A Crewe to London via Stoke on Trent passenger service now stops at Stone railway station – access to the Downs Banks is then by a two-mile walk along lanes and footpaths.
The site is 'open access' on foot to all. As well as footpaths there is also a waymarked bridleway which may be used with care by horse riders and cyclists. There is an unsurfaced car park.
The site is popular with dog walkers, both amateur and professional. In the summer of 2008 two bins were erected for dog waste: local National Trust members raised the funds for these bins.
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