The Mid Cornwall Moors has been officially declared a National Nature Reserve, creating one of England’s largest protected moorland networks and more than doubling the amount of land managed for nature in the area.
Announced on Wednesday by Natural England and Nature Minister Mary Creagh, the designation brings together more than 1,100 hectares of moorland across central Cornwall as part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves.
The reserve stretches across Cornwall’s “clay country”, between St Austell, Bodmin and St Columb Major. It includes a mix of heathland, woodland, mire and raised bog habitats, many of which support rare species and plants.
Among the species found within the reserve are the willow tit, lesser butterfly orchid, royal fern and the carnivorous round-leaved sundew. Cornish moneywort, a plant unique to Cornwall’s historic tin-streaming landscapes, also grows in the area.
The designation also recognises the region’s historical significance. Landmarks including Helman Tor, Castle an Dinasand Goss Moor form part of the reserve, which contains evidence of prehistoric tin streaming, Iron Age settlements and ancient woodland.
The reserve combines land managed by several organisations, including Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Heritage Trust, Gaia Trust and Imerys. It also includes land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, described the announcement as “a powerful recognition of the landscape’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage”.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh said the reserve would protect rare wildlife and improve access to nature for local communities and visitors.
The Mid Cornwall Moors is the 14th reserve to be designated under the King’s Series initiative, which aims to create or extend 25 National Nature Reserves in England by 2028. Around 1.4 million people are estimated to live within five kilometres of a reserve in the series.
Conservation groups involved in the project said the new reserve reflects years of collaborative habitat restoration and sustainable land management. Cornwall Wildlife Trust highlighted conservation grazing and beaver reintroduction projects already underway in the landscape, while local partners said the designation would improve public access and create opportunities for education and tourism.
