Kingsmead Marsh

Kingsmead Marsh is a local nature reserve near Stafford, in Staffordshire, England. Its area is about 6 hectares (15 acres), and it is designated a Grade 1 Site of Biological Importance.[1]

Kingsmead Marsh
Location in Staffordshire
LocationStafford, Staffordshire
grid reference SJ 925 234
Coordinates52.8081°N 2.1127°W / 52.8081; -2.1127
Area6 hectares (15 acres)
DesignationLocal nature reserve
Site of Biological Importance
WebsiteKingsmead Marsh

History and description

The marsh is a remaining part of a large area of marshland, to the north and east of the later town; this and the River Sow, to the west, made the location defensible. Stafford is said to have been founded about AD 700 by Beorhthelm (or Bertelin), a Mercian prince, who established a hermitage here. The Burh of Stafford was subsequently established in AD 913.[1][2]

In the medieval period there was a mill, owned by the King, for which a mill pond, known as King's Pool, was created. The site later returned to marsh, and, known as Kingsmead, was probably used more recently for summer grazing of livestock.[1]

The site was designated a local nature reserve (LNR) in December 2003. It supports a variety of flora and fauna, and there are plants not found locally such as purple loosestrife and brown sedge. The site is managed in order to protect and improve it; this includes coppicing of willow scrub which is encroaching from the edge of the site.[1]

References
  1. "Kingsmead Marsh" Stafford Borough Council. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  2. "History of Stafford" Stafford Borough Council. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
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