The National Forest

Trent Washlands

As the name suggests, the Trent Washlands lie on the flood plain of the River Trent, close to Burton upon Trent.  East Staffordshire Borough Council manages the site to provide an area of open space for wildlife and recreation.  The Washlands provide a variety of habitats for a range of wildlife. Look out for herons, dragonflies and damselflies.  The grassland is managed as a traditional hay meadow and is covered in marsh marigold, cowslips and cuckoo flower in spring.

Follow the sculpture trail which includes a Viking Long Boat, a loaf of bread and heron seat.  The black and white ferry bridge replaced the ferry crossing in 1889.  Burton Mail Centenary Woodland covers part of the site.

A site leaflet and the Woodlands and Washlands leaflet are both available from East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Description of Facilities

Picnic tables are found across the site. A Viking Long Boat play area is located close to the library. Follow the Sculpture Trail or the Trim Trail (from the Meadowside Leisure Centre), and visit the Garden of Remembrance (beside Friar’s Walk) and the Abbot’s Garden (accessible to all). The café at Burton Library has outdoor seating with wonderful

views over the Washlands.

Disabled Facilities:

Accessible toilets can be found in the Market Square, at Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton Library and Stapenhill Gardens (requires a RADAR key).

Woodland key

Angling

Bus Service

Children's Play Area

Disabled Access

Information

Parking

Picnic Facilities

Rail Services

Surfaced Paths

Walking

Walks information

All paths are flat and surfaced with tarmac. Ramps off the Meadowside Leisure Centre and Burton Library provide easy access to the Washlands. There are various circular routes around the site, and plenty of benches for resting. Access is also provided to the River Trent, Burton Mail Centenary Woodland and Stapenhill Gardens via fairly level surfaced paths with no roads or traffic to deal with. Please note: The Washlands area is a river floodplain and may therefore be inaccessible at times of high river levels.