SJ8903 : Footbridge over the River Penk near Bilbrook in Staffordshire
taken 2 years ago, near to Bilbrook, Staffordshire, England
Although Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve is owned by and maintained by Wolverhampton Council, it is situated east of Bilbrook in South Staffordshire. It covers part the site formerly occupied by Pendeford Hall and Pendeford Mill. The reserve includes 24 hectares (almost 60 acres) of pools, woodland, meadows, former osier beds and the River Penk. It was purchased by Wolverhampton council in 1976, and to this day the many educational visits and maintenance teams have been overseen by warden Paul Coxill.
There are two main pools, the larger (southern) one having the main visitors’ walk around it. There are numerous other woodland tracks (which can be overgrown in summer) to explore north, and south of this main pool. Visitors need to be aware that there is no way-marking, and parts of all the tracks (including the main one mentioned) can become boggy in winter, and at other times after extended periods of wet weather. Suitable footwear should be worn with this in mind. No routes are suitable for wheelchair users. Meadows near the reserve entrance, and at the southern end by the canal are maintained organically, with wild flowers encouraged. Toilets are available by the car park. Admission is free except for special events. Dogs must be kept on leads.
The mill shown as Pendeford Mill on later maps and formerly located near Pendeford Hall was in use from around the 1650s. It appeared as Pendeford, Barnhurst or New Mill on various maps.
The mill house was converted into two cottages in 1912, which were demolished with the mill in 1961. In the early nineteenth century there was a windmill about a quarter of a mile to the west of the watermill.
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