Activities and information about Lindow Common

Lindow Common has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Positive management is vital in the preservation and enhancement of heathland. In 2001, the former Macclesfield Borough Council received a special commendation from English Nature, the government-funded body which overseas nationally important wildlife sites, in recognition of its management of Lindow Common.

The famous ’Lindow Man’ was discovered in a nearby peat bog.

Wildlife highlights

Lindow Common SSSI is a lowland heath with a perimeter of woodland and scrub plus a man made lake and a number of wildlife ponds.

Natural history interest lies in an abundance of amphibians, plants – round-leaved sundew, bog rosemary, bog asphodel, cranberry and bogbean plus common lizards who sun themselves on areas of bare ground.

A walk around Black Lake, at the centre of the site, may lead to sightings of water voles, dragonflies, damselflies and a number of breeding duck species. While the trees and scrub provide habitats to our early migrating bird species including chiffchaff, willow warbler and blackcap.

Management undertaken

Throughout the year the Countryside Ranger service maintain and enhance the site through a number of practical management works.

  • During winter months areas of woodland may be felled and then scraped as part of the heathland restoration
  • Black Lake may undergo blue-green algae management during the summer
  • Short rotation coppicing provides habitat for breeding birds and invertebrates
  • Invasive species management - removing any garden plant escapes from the site

Please do not feed the wildfowl.

Contact Ranger service

rangers@cheshireeast.gov.uk

For Middlewood Way, Jacksons’ Brickworks, Poynton Coppice and Poynton Park: phone 01625 383700

For Tegg’s Nose Country Park: phone 01625 374833

For Lindow Common or Macclesfield Riverside Park: phone 01625 374790

For Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve, Dane-In-Shaw Pasture SSSI, Croxton Park, Biddulph Valley Way, Timbersbrook Picnic Area, Salt Line, Borrow Pit Meadows and Rode Heath Rise: phone 01477 534115

For Astbury Mere Country Park, Merelake Way and Wheelock Rail Trail: phone 01260 297237

For Gritstone Trail: phone 01270 686029

Page last reviewed: 30 September 2022