Granville Country Park

Originally declared as a Local Nature Reserve in 1989 and extended several times, the Country Park covers an area of 85.5 hectares and is one of the largest and most wildlife rich of Telford’s green spaces.

Once a hive of industry, Granville has been reclaimed by nature. Telford New Town’s development plan incorporated a green network of hedgerows, canals, meadows, canal fringes and other open spaces that were retained, so that wildlife and people could live together. It was an achievement that won international recognition, pioneering the way forward for other new towns.

Granville is one of the largest and most wildlife diverse of these places, much valued by local people for its recreational opportunities. The spirit of renewal is tangible here, nature has reclaimed the area after centuries of industrial activity, which finally ceased when Granville, the last deep mine in the county, closed down.

Relics of former industrial activity, including furnaces and an old winding house, are now surrounded by woodland full of birds, while pit mounds of waste have been transformed into flower-rich grassland and heath.

There are footpaths around the reserve which can be accessed by all. It is mostly easy walking with some steep pit mounds (which can be avoided).

Remains of its former industrial history such as the tub boat canal, blast furnaces and winding house can still be explored although woodlands, meadows, a marsh and open water, grasslands and heath cover the area today.

Nature has reclaimed this former industrial site supporting an abundance of birds and flowers.