Park Hall Country Park

Park Hall Country Park is one of the city’s most important natural sites. It was declared as Stoke-on-Trent’s only National Nature Reserve in 2002 and the sandstone canyons are a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their geology.

How to get to Park Hall Country Park

Park Hall Country Park covers a large area in Weston Coyney, in the south east of the city. Buses run along Park Hall Road and Weston Road and the park is a short walk from these roads. There are car parks at the Visitor Centre off Hulme Road, further down off Hulme Road and off Weston Road. Some car parks have height barriers: please ring Park Hall Country Park on 01782 331889 if you need access for a tall vehicle.  Please follow the link on the right hand side of the page for a location map.

Visitor Centre and Conference Room

The Visitor Centre has displays of wildlife and geology, an interactive computer, information on recent wildlife sightings and a small shop. You can buy bird boxes from the Centre for £4 each. During the winter (October  - March) the Visitor Centre is open on Thursday and Friday between 9.30am and 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 4pm.

The Conference Room can accomodate about 24 people and is suitable for meetings, training and interviews. It provides an ideal opportunity to combine your event with some relaxation time spent in one of the most beautiful sites in Stoke-on-Trent. Car parking is free. We can also offer team building sessions for companies, charities and local authorities. If you would like to hire the venue or want more information about our team building sessions please contact Community Services on 01782 331889.

Activities

Park Hall Country Park is a large site with woodlands, heathland and ponds. There are a number of paths around the site, offering both easy and more challenging walks. The park is very popular with dog walkers and fishermen use the lower pools.

We regularly hold special events. These are advertised at the Visitor Centre, in the local press and in public buildings. If you would like details of forthcoming events please telephone Community Services on 01782 331889.

Wildlife and Geology

Park Hall is notable for its sandstone and pebble beds. The sandstone was deposited in desert conditions in the Triassic period, about 230 million years ago. The pebble beds are the result of flash floods and by examining the way in which the pebbles have been deposited geologists can work out which direction the floods came from.

The sandstone canyons and heathlands are important nesting sites for kestrels and little owls and sand martins breed nearby. The heathland and woods provide a habitat for short-eared owls, skylarks, meadow pipits and partridge and the gorse is valuable for linnets.

The four pools on the west side of the park have a great range of birds. Insects include the black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum scoticum) which is uncommon in Staffordshire. A number of unusual beetles inhabit the damp, sandy areas including the green tiger beetle (Cicindella campestris).

History of Park Hall Country Park

Prior to the early 17th Century this area was very similar to Cannock Chase and was used as a deer park. Coal mining and quarrying began in the 19th century and major gravel extraction started in 1939. Initially this extraction began without planning permission and caused severe damage to the landscape.  Later quarrying in the canyons was planned and woodlands were planted. Extraction work ended in 1970.

For more information on Park Hall Country Park please contact Community Services on 01782 331889.