Baggeridge Country Park facts for kids
| Baggeridge Country Park | |
|---|---|
 The Bag Pool at Baggeridge Country Park |
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| Location | |
| Nearest Village: | Gospel End |
| County: | Staffordshire |
| Country: | England, U.K. |
| Information | |
| Area: | 150 acres (0.61 km2) |
| Status: | Country park, local nature reserve |
| Established: | 1970 to 1981 |
| Awards: | Green Flag Award |
| Administration | |
| Administrative authority: | South Staffordshire District Council |
Baggeridge Country Park is a fantastic place to explore in Staffordshire, England. You can find its entrance on the A463 road, just west of a small village called Gospel End. It's a popular spot for families and nature lovers, offering lots of fun activities and beautiful scenery.
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Discover Baggeridge Country Park
Baggeridge Country Park is owned by the South Staffordshire Council. One of the main things you'll notice is a big hill made from old mining waste, called a "Pit Mound." It has many paths leading to its top, where you can get amazing views! There's also a lovely lake called Bag Pool, located between the car park and the hill.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Near the car park, you'll find lots of cool facilities:
- A bandstand where events might happen.
- A cozy café for snacks and drinks.
- A camping field if you want to stay overnight.
- A special field for events.
- A huge children's play area for all ages.
- A miniature railway for a fun ride.
- A sensory garden where you can experience different sights, sounds, and smells.
- An exciting ropes course called "Closer to the Edge" for adventure seekers!
Baggeridge Country Park is also a local nature reserve. This means it's a protected area where nature can thrive, and you can see lots of different plants and animals.
A Look Back: History of Baggeridge
Baggeridge has a really interesting past! Long ago, it belonged to the Earls of Dudley. It was part of their large Himley Estate, which included small farms, old forests, and the parkland around Himley Park.
How the Park Changed Over Time
In the 1700s, a famous landscape designer named Capability Brown shaped the land. Much of his design, especially in the southern part, is still visible today.
Things changed a lot in 1902 when people started mining for coal in the northern part of the area. Big mine shafts were dug, and a large mining operation began. The mine became government-owned in 1947. It finally closed on March 1, 1968, as the last deep coal mine in the local area.
After the mine closed, the land was cleaned up and turned into a Country Park. This work finished in 1981. The park was officially opened on June 17, 1983, by Princess Anne.
Exploring the Landscape
The park has different types of landscapes to discover.
- The northern part has open grassland, thick woodland, and wet areas called wetlands.
- You can find a marsh with a small path near Newt Meadow.
- There are also wetlands and heathland areas at Gospel End Common.
- The southern part of the park still looks like the beautiful woodland and parkland designed by Capability Brown.
The land at Baggeridge is mostly hilly, but it also has some flat areas. Some parts might be a bit rough, perfect for an adventurous walk!
Walks and Trails at Baggeridge
Baggeridge Country Park has many paths and trails for you to explore. Here are some of the official routes:
Easy Access Walk
This walk is a circular path that is mostly flat. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and is designed to be easy for everyone, including those with disabilities.
Toposcope Trail
The Toposcope Trail takes you past Bag Pool and up to the very top of the big hill. From the summit, you can see amazing views of the park and the surrounding area, even as far as the Welsh Mountains on a clear day! This walk takes about 45 minutes and has some steep parts.
Baggeridge Circular Walk
This walk has some fairly steep sections. It goes past Bag Pool, around the base of the hill, and then towards Whites Wood. It loops around several small lakes before heading back up to the car park.
Baggeridge Woodland Walk
The Woodland Walk starts like the Circular Walk. Then, it goes onto public paths through a private part of Baggeridge Wood, outside the main park. It comes out at Gospel End Common and finishes at the upper meadow near the car parks. This longer walk takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and has some steep parts.
Besides these official routes, there are many other paths you can take. For example, you can walk all the way around Bag Pool. From there, you can choose to go up the hill or into Newt Meadow. From Newt Meadow, you can follow paths that lead up steep steps into a woodland. Here, you'll get great views of the countryside and nearby towns. These paths can connect back to the Circular Walk.
You can also walk to the nearby Himley Park. This path goes past two lakes and a waterfall, following a stream from the main lake. It also gives you access to Whites Wood and has several paths running alongside it.
Images for kids
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The Bag Pool at Baggeridge Country Park
