About the reserve

Alvecote Pools SSSI has moved back under the management of Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Country Parks service, after over 50 years of successful Warwickshire Wildlife Trust custodianship.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) have carried out habitat management at the site adjacent to Pooley Country Park, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council under an agreement since 1970. The agreement expired in early 2026 and both parties are pleased to announce that WCC are now in an excellent position to take back management of the land for wildlife.

WCC’s Country Parks and Green Spaces service will use their expertise in habitat management and visitor experience to continue the valuable work of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT),and its volunteers, supporting local biodiversity and providing accessible options for visitors wishing to immerse themselves in Warwickshire’s unique natural landscape.

By joining the Warwickshire Country Parks portfolio, the site will benefit from the conservation expertise of a team of Specialist Habitat Rangers, providing fresh opportunities for biodiversity projects to align with WCC’s other sites, such as Kingsbury Water Park, Hartshill Hayes Country Park, and Ryton Pools Country Park.

Enquiries about Alvecote Pools nature reserve should now go to: parks@warwickshire.gov.uk

This reserve has a series of shallow pools along the River Anker. Until the 1960's there was mining here by the Pooley Hall Colliery and mining subsidence formed the pools. It is a good place to spot birds, dragonflies and orchids through the different seasons.

Coal was mined here between 1848 and 1965 and this site would not exist if it was not for these mining operations, as the subsidence and flooding formed the complex habitat you see today. It is now an important site for a variety of water birds.

What might you spot?

Look out for crested grebe, tufted duck, pochard, shelduck, little ringed plover and reed warblers on the pools. You may spot the flash of turquoise of a hunting kingfisher or a Great white egret spearing fish with its long, sharp beak., A dozen varieties of dragonfly flit across the pools in spring and summer and if you fancy bug hunting you could find some of the many beetle species found here. 

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