Rea Brook Valley facts for kids
The Rea Brook Valley is a special country park and a Local Nature Reserve located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. It's known across the country as an important place for many different types of wildlife. This park also has a cool history because it was once part of the Severn Valley Railway line. The Rea Brook is a stream that flows right through the park, giving it its name.
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Where is Rea Brook Valley?
You can find the Rea Brook Valley close to the center of Shrewsbury. It's easy to get to and a great place to explore nature. 52°41′33″N 2°44′12″W / 52.69259°N 2.73678°W
Who Looks After the Park?
The Rea Brook Valley is owned by Shropshire Council. This council helps manage the park, which stretches from the east to the south of Shrewsbury town center. As a Local Nature Reserve, it's protected for its natural beauty and wildlife. There are also footpaths and cycle tracks, so you can walk or bike through the valley and enjoy the outdoors.
Amazing Wildlife in the Valley
The Rea Brook Valley is a very important place for wildlife. It acts like a "green corridor," which means it's a natural pathway for animals and plants right in the middle of Shrewsbury. This helps them move safely and find new places to live.
Shropshire Council works hard to protect this area. They look after the old meadows by using traditional methods like grazing and hay-making. They also protect wet areas and create new habitats for plants and animals in places that need more wildlife.
You might spot some amazing creatures here, like bright Kingfishers, clever Otters, or soaring Buzzards. There are also beautiful Orchids growing in the park. Recently, a Common Spotted Orchid was found there for the first time in 25 years! Even though it's not a super rare flower in the UK, finding it here shows that the park's management is working well and helping more different kinds of plants and animals thrive.
History of the Railway
The Rea Brook Valley has an interesting past. It was once part of the Severn Valley Railway line. You can still see parts of the old railway, like the raised banks (embankments) and tunnels, which are cool to explore.
The Severn Valley Railway was used for transporting goods and people for over 100 years, from 1862 to 1963. Today, the railway company is used for fun and learning! It started offering rides for tourists and educational trips in 1970. Later, it expanded its service to Bewdley in 1974 and then to Kidderminster in 1984.
