New Moss Wood
Cadishead
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
30.79 ha (76.08 acres)
Grid reference:
SJ701931
Map reference:
Explorer 276
OS Landranger 109
Planted in 1998/99 as part of the Red Rose Forest, New Moss Wood is a new, native woodland established on what was once a market garden farm. Enjoy views of the river to Glazebrook and beyond and look out for varied birdlife that makes this wood so popular with local birdwatchers.
Features
- Parking at site
- Public access
- Grassland
- Broadleaved woodland
How to get to New Moss Wood
New Moss Wood is a 30.5 hectare (75.3 acre) site located on the outskirts of Cadishead, Salford, on the edge of Chat Moss.
From the Warrington/M6 Junction 21, take the A57 (Manchester Road) towards Salford/ Manchester. Take a left turn for Cadishead onto Liverpool Road and follow this for approximately 1.6km (1 mile), until you pass under the railway bridge, then turn left onto New Moss Road. Follow this road until you go over another railway bridge, where it becomes Moss Road, which is unsurfaced. Continue along the road for about 0.8km (0.5 miles), past several houses and farms, until you come to the main entrance and car park for New Moss Wood on the left-hand side.
The nearest train station is Irlam, around 25 minutes' walk from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is in Cadishead, on Liverpool Road. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the wood along New Moss Road to Moss Road.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
There are two access points along the eastern boundary (Moss Road) into the site, one of which is located at the small onsite car park on Moss Road.
There is a good network of paths running through the wood, with bridges and raised paths to avoid wet areas and ditches. The paths are unsurfaced and can get quite muddy.
There is a free car park at the entrance to New Moss Wood with space for around six cars.
The nearest public toilets, including disabled access and baby changing, are at Irlam library on Hurst Fold off Liverpool Road, about 4.8km (3 miles) from the wood.
There are also toilets are also available at the Princess Park Garden Centre, Liverpool Road, about 3.2km (2 miles) from the wood. Both are only available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
The new woodland at New Moss Wood, particularly the areas of willow scrub, supports a huge range of wildlife. Look out for moths, other invertebrates and a wide range of bird species.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
The flora at New Moss Wood is a mix of planted and naturally regenerated species. The native planting of willow, alder and birch suits the dampness of the site well, but you’ll also find more recent plantings of oak and ash.
Look out for:
Habitats
New Moss Wood's area of grassland is a particularly important habitat for ground-nesting birds, and the willow scrub supports more invertebrates than any other plant, except oak.
Explore:
History of New Moss Wood
We bought the site in 1996 after the market garden that once stood there went out of use in the early 1990s.
Though we planted 10 hectares in 1997, much of the woodland was established with the help of the local community as part of the Red Rose Forest Project (now City of Trees) in 1998 and 1999. The project’s aim was to involve local communities in safeguarding and creating woodland for the future and get greenery into places where people can appreciate it every day.
Chat Moss
Historically, a large part of neighbouring Chat Moss and surrounding areas were covered by tree-edged, lowland raised peat bog. This has developed over thousands of years where water logging has slowed down the decomposition of plants, leading to huge, domed peat accumulations.
The areas of wet willow scrub and areas of natural regeneration at New Moss Wood are extending these valuable habitats.
Dedicate at this wood
This wood is one of more than 50 across the UK where it's possible to dedicate trees, benches or larger areas of woodland. Mark a special occasion or celebrate the life of a loved one with a meaningful gesture that lasts.
Choose a dedicationThings to do in New Moss Wood
Visiting woods
Walking dogs in our woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
Visiting woods
Events
Discover events at our woods and the festivals and fairs you can find us at soon.
Visiting woods
Things to do in the woods
Go on an adventure. Get closer to nature. Uncover history. Discover ways to explore the UK's woods whatever the season.
