Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve, Protected wetland area in Shropshire and Wrexham, United Kingdom
Fenn's, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve is a protected area made up of three connected raised peat bogs sitting on the border between England and Wales. The open ground is covered in sphagnum moss, cotton grass, and heather, broken up by drainage channels and shallow pools.
The mosses were used for peat cutting from medieval times, but large-scale commercial extraction only took hold in the 19th century. In 1990 the Nature Conservancy Council bought out the working leases, ending commercial use and beginning the long process of restoration.
Visitors walking slowly along the boardwalks can spot sundew, a carnivorous plant that traps insects on the bog surface. These small plants are easy to miss but are a distinctive feature of this type of wetland and reward a careful eye.
The boardwalks can become slippery after rain, so sturdy footwear is helpful even on the marked trails. Parking is available at the Manor House Nature Reserve Base, which is the main starting point for most routes across the three moss areas.
The peat here preserved Iron Age human remains for thousands of years, offering a rare window into ancient burial practices in this part of Britain. The reserve also crosses the England-Wales border, meaning a single walk can pass through two countries without any visible marker.
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