Hatchmere

Hatchmere Lake

Rachel Bradshaw

Hatch mere nature reserve c. Claire Huxley

Hatch mere nature reserve c. Claire Huxley

Hatch mere nature reserve

Hatch mere nature reserve

Cormorant at Hatch mere nature reserve c. Claire Huxley

Cormorant at Hatch mere nature reserve c. Claire Huxley

Red campion c. Rachel Lloyd

Red campion c. Rachel Lloyd

Hatch mere nature reserve

Hatch mere nature reserve

Hatch mere nature reserve

Hatch mere nature reserve

 

      Hatchmere comprises a variety of habitats, including open water, fen carr and dry woodland

      Location

      Hatchmere, Norley, nr Delamere Forest
      Frodsham
      Cheshire
      WA6 6NY
      A static map of Hatchmere

      Know before you go

      Size
      13 hectares
      z

      Entry fee

      No

      Walking trails

      Please use the footpaths when walking in the reserve.

      Access

      The mere can be viewed from Delamere Road (by The Carriers Inn) and the remainder of the reserve is accessed via a footpath off Ashton Road in the village, just as you enter the forest.

      Dogs

      On a lead

      When to visit

      Opening times

      Open at all times

      Best time to visit

      March to September

      About the reserve

      Hatchmere is one of a series of lakes and peatlands across the North-West formed by the glacial action at the end of the last Ice Age, and part of the Northwest Midlands Meres and Mosses Ramsar site, a wetland site of international importance.

      The mere is home to many birds including the beautiful great crested grebe. Reed bunting and willow warbler also nest among the common reed and lesser reed mace that almost encircle the mere. As well as the mere itself, our nature reserve includes the surrounding fens, wet woodland and wet heath. Up to 13 species of dragonfly and damselfly having been recorded on the reserve, including the rare hairy dragonfly and the variable damselfly.

      To the west of the mere the Trust has cleared large amounts of birch to enhance the wet mossland vegetation. Here there are heather, bilberry, cotton grass and sphagnum mosses. There are deep boggy pools hidden in the vegetation, so it is as well to keep to the path and watch where you put your feet.

      Contact us

      Cheshire Wildlife Trust
      Contact number: 01948 820728
      Contact email: info@cheshirewt.org.uk

      Environmental designation

      Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

      Cheshire's Last Refuges Appeal

      Help us protect wildlife refuges like Hatchmere
      £

      We're bringing beavers back

      Welton Media

      Find out more

      Hatchmere Improvement Plan 2020

      Hatch Mere rules

      • No swimming in Hatch Mere lake.
      • No boating is permitted unless by prior written agreement from Cheshire Wildlife Trust (e.g. for surveys).
      • No camping.
      • All litter must be taken away with you.
      • Open fires are not permitted, all disposable barbeques must be allowed to burn cool and removed from site. Ashes must not be left behind.
      • Fishing is only permitted for members of Prince Albert Angling Society and is only permitted from the platforms.
      • Platforms and private areas are only to be accessed my members of Prince Albert Angling Society.
      • Please park responsibly and do not park on the grass. Do not block driveways or roads. If parking spaces are full then additional parking is available in the laybys on Ashton Road which is less than 5 minutes walk away.
      • The Carriers Inn car park is for patrons only.