Three new routes launched to make sure walkers see the best bits of Gentleshaw Common.
Lichfield District Council’s Countryside team has developed three Healthy Heathland walks to encourage people to take a stroll through the special site of scientific interest.
In March, the council’s countryside officers installed posts with different coloured arrows on them all over the common, to mark out the routes.
Justine Lloyd, Lichfield District Council’s countryside manager, said:
“By following any of the three routes, visitors will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful and interesting parts of Gentleshaw Common.
“Not only will the walks encourage visitors to take some healthy exercise, they are a good way to explore the common, without disturbing the fragile habitat or getting lost.”
The team has also installed information boards at the main entrances to explain that walkers need to follow either the yellow, green or red arrows, depending on how far they want to walk.
The yellow walk takes around half an hour, the green walk about one hour, and the red walk roughly one and a half hours – based on the average walking speed of a reasonably fit, able-bodied person.
The boards also give descriptions of the rare animals and plants visitors could spot on their walks – such Stonechats, which are a type of small bird, and the insect-eating Round-leaved Sundew marsh plant.
