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Red River Nature Reserve

Red River Nature Reserve

The Red River Nature Reserve in Loscoe is a much-loved, peacful area that lies between St. Luke's Church and the Charles Hill Playing Fields, just off the main road between Heanor and Codnor.

It is owned by Heanor and Loscoe Town Council but managed by the Friends of Red River, a voluntary group formed in 1998.


The gates at the entrance to the Red River Nature Reserve were designed by pupils at the nearby Loscoe Primary School. They depict the wildlife of the site as well as the mining history of the area.

The quiet path that leads through the site's six acres. Along the way, visitors can witness many species of birds and insects, as well as varying types of habitat.


There are many trees along the narrow wet woodland strip of land that forms the Nature Reserve.

Visitors can read about the history of the site as well as what there is to see.

As well as the 'Red River' itself, the Nature Reserve includes a pond that attracts many insects and birds. The pond once fed the water mill on the site.

The name 'Red River' derives from the time when a copper works was operated to the north of the site, and the discharge from the works contained iron ore, which coloured the water.