About Downs Banks
Downs Bank is an area of open countryside, located two miles north of the town of Stone in Staffordshire, and four miles south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. The property is also known as 'Barlaston Downs'. Area and habitatsThe property covers about 166acre, and consists of a glaciated valley with a stream running the length of the property from North to South. Other habitats include woodland and Heath (habitat). ManagementThe heath has been subject to a restoration project by the National Trust, which resulted in the re-introduction of summer-grazing cattle on the hillsides of the property in 2005. The cattle help to keep bracken and scrub birch trees under control, and to allow a variety of old grasses, heather, plus bilberry, gorse and broom to regain habitat. It is hoped that this will encourage species such as vivparous lizard to increase in population. The footpaths and bridleway suffer from erosion due to their heavy use. Local people help National Trust staff by becoming volunteers, carrying out tasks such as litter clearing, footpath work, fencing and habitat management.
Downs Banks Description
Downs Bank is an area of open countryside, located two miles north of the town of Stone in Staffordshire, and four miles south of the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. The property is also known as 'Barlaston Downs'. Area and habitatsThe property covers about 166acre, and consists of a glaciated valley with a stream running the length of the property from North to South. Other habitats include woodland and Heath (habitat). ManagementThe heath has been subject to a restoration project by the National Trust, which resulted in the re-introduction of summer-grazing cattle on the hillsides of the property in 2005. The cattle help to keep bracken and scrub birch trees under control, and to allow a variety of old grasses, heather, plus bilberry, gorse and broom to regain habitat. It is hoped that this will encourage species such as vivparous lizard to increase in population. The footpaths and bridleway suffer from erosion due to their heavy use. Local people help National Trust staff by becoming volunteers, carrying out tasks such as litter clearing, footpath work, fencing and habitat management.