Catherton Common

Catherton Common
Location in Shropshire
Location	near Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire
OS grid	SO 624 778
Coordinates	52°23′48″N 2°33′14″W
Area	213 hectares (530 acres)
Operated by	Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Designation	Site of Special Scientific Interest
Website	www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/catherton-common

Catherton Common is a nature reserve of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust, between Cleehill and Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire, England. It is heathland, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1]

Description

The area of the reserve is 213 hectares (530 acres); it is an uncultivated landscape, in which houses and smallholdings are dispersed. There is heather, including cross-leaved heath, and deergrass which is rare in Shropshire. In wetter places there is bog asphodel and sundew.[2]

Bird species to be seen include Eurasian skylark, European stonechat, yellowhammer, and common linnet.[2]

Remains of mining

Coal mining on Catherton Common and the adjacent Clee Hills is recorded from the 13th century to the early 20th century. A representative sample of the mining remains on Catherton Common is listed as a scheduled monument. The evolution of mining over the period is evident, from the early working of coal outcrops, to medieval bell pits, and shaft mounds where larger pits were sunk from the early 17th to early 19th century.[3]

References

1. "Catherton Common SSSI" Natural England. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
2. "Catherton Common" Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
3. Historic England. "Coal mining remains and brick works on Catherton Common (1014869)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 September 2021.