On July 14, 2025, a vast stretch of ancient peatland between Salford and Warrington officially became the Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve — the 10th site in the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves honoring the coronation of King Charles III. Spanning 529 hectares across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, the reserve isn’t just another protected area. It’s a living archive — ten thousand years in the making — now breathing again as a beacon for climate action and community reconnection.
A Landscape Forged by Time and Industry
These wetlands didn’t emerge overnight. Peat has been slowly piling up here since the last Ice Age, trapping carbon, filtering water, and nurturing species that barely survive elsewhere in England. Curlews call over the moss. Adders sunbathe on raised hummocks. Sundew plants, carnivorous and delicate, trap insects in sticky dew. This isn’t just biodiversity — it’s ecological rarity.
But the land’s story doesn’t begin with wildlife. It begins with steam. In the 1830s, George Stephenson engineered a railway that floated across Chat Moss — a feat of Victorian ingenuity that linked Liverpool and Manchester, fueling the Industrial Revolution. Now, that same ground, once carved by iron wheels and soot, is being stitched back together by ecologists, council workers, and volunteers. "It’s a new kind of revolution," wrote iLoveManchester.com in July 2025. "One of climate action, wildlife restoration, and community reconnection."
The Seven Partners Behind the Reserve
Restoring this landscape required more than goodwill — it needed coordination. The Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve is managed by a unique alliance: Natural England, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Warrington Borough Council, Wigan Council, and the Woodland Trust. Each brings something different: funding, legal authority, scientific expertise, or boots on the ground.
Warrington Borough Council called it "a vital green corridor." Lancashire Wildlife Trust, in its July 17 announcement, noted the reserve connects to the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, Rostherne Mere, and the Bollin to Mersey Nature Recovery Project. Together, they form a 100-kilometer ribbon of wetland and woodland — a lifeline for birds, insects, and amphibians fleeing fragmented habitats.
More Than Nature — A Resource for 2.7 Million People
What makes this reserve extraordinary isn’t just its ecology. It’s its accessibility. "It puts nature within 10 miles of over 2.7 million people," said iLoveManchester.com. That’s nearly the population of Wales living within a short drive of ancient peat bogs, reed beds, and woodlands teeming with life. In a region where urban sprawl swallowed farmland decades ago, this is a lifeline for mental health, education, and outdoor recreation.
Wigan residents can now walk from housing estates into wild, open spaces where lapwings wheel overhead. Families in Salford can hike along boardwalks built over waterlogged peat, learning how these soggy grounds lock away carbon — each hectare storing up to 1,000 tons. "This isn’t a park," said one local volunteer during the July 14 launch. "It’s a repair job. On the land. On our relationship with it."
The King’s Series: 25 Reserves, One Mission
The King’s Series of National Nature Reserves was conceived as a living coronation gift — not to monarchs, but to nature. By 2027, 25 such sites will be designated across England. Ten have already been announced, with 15 more expected. Each targets a different ecosystem: chalk downlands, coastal dunes, ancient woodlands. But the Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss site stands out for its urban proximity and scale.
It’s also symbolic. The Industrial Revolution began here. Factories rose. Rivers ran black. Peat was drained for fuel and farming. Now, the same soil is being rewetted, rewilded, and reclaimed. "From the heart of the industrial revolution," noted Lancashire Wildlife Trust, "to a new National Nature Reserve."
What Comes Next?
Restoration is just beginning. Projects include blocking old drainage ditches, planting native sphagnum moss, and removing invasive species like rhododendron. Educational trails are being designed, with school groups already scheduled to visit in autumn. A £2.3 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will support visitor infrastructure — boardwalks, signage, and a small interpretive center near Irlam.
But funding won’t last forever. The long-term challenge is maintenance. Can local communities sustain this? Will councils prioritize upkeep amid budget cuts? The answer may determine whether this becomes a model — or a footnote.
Why This Matters Beyond the North West
Peatlands cover just 3% of England’s land but store 30% of its soil carbon. When drained, they release CO2 — fast. The Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss National Nature Reserve is one of the largest peat restoration projects in the UK this decade. If successful, it could become a blueprint for similar efforts in the Midlands, the Pennines, even the Fens.
And it’s happening in a region that doesn’t always get credit for its natural heritage. This isn’t the Lake District. It’s not Snowdonia. It’s the forgotten wetlands between motorways and warehouses. But now? It’s national. And it’s ours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this affect local residents?
Over 2.7 million people live within 10 miles of the reserve, giving them unprecedented access to nature-rich landscapes without traveling far. Local councils are partnering with schools and health services to offer guided walks, mental wellness programs, and citizen science projects — turning conservation into daily life.
What species are protected here?
The reserve supports rare birds like curlew and lapwing, both in sharp decline across the UK. Reptiles including adders and common lizards thrive in the mosaic of open peat and scrub. Plants like sundew and bog asphodel are indicators of healthy, undisturbed peat. These species depend on the wet, acidic conditions that only intact peatlands provide.
Why is this part of King Charles III’s coronation legacy?
The King’s Series was launched to mark his coronation by creating 25 flagship nature reserves by 2027, reflecting his lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. Unlike ceremonial monuments, these sites are functional ecosystems — designed to restore biodiversity, sequester carbon, and reconnect people with nature. Risley, Holcroft and Chat Moss is one of the most ambitious.
How does peatland restoration help fight climate change?
Healthy peatlands lock away carbon — the Risley site alone stores an estimated 5 million tons. When drained or burned, they release it as CO2. Restoring water levels halts emissions and turns the land back into a carbon sink. Experts say UK peat restoration could cut emissions by 2.5 million tons annually — equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road.
Will the public be allowed to visit?
Yes — but carefully. Boardwalks and marked trails will guide visitors to avoid damaging fragile peat. Some areas remain off-limits to protect nesting birds and rare plants. Visitor centers are planned near Irlam and Warrington, with free guided tours, educational workshops, and volunteer opportunities starting this autumn.
What’s the long-term goal for the reserve?
By 2035, officials aim to restore 90% of the peatland to active, carbon-sequestering condition. The vision includes linking it to other green corridors across the North West, creating a 150-kilometer ecological network. Success means not just saving species — but proving that nature can rebound even in the most industrialized corners of the country.
