Lindow Common

Lindow Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest on the western edge of Wilmslow in Cheshire. Once open heathland where villagers grazed cattle, it now has birch trees covering many areas. In the middle lies the Black Lake, whose Welsh name llyn ddu gave Lindow its name. The common borders Lindow Moss, an ancient peat bog where Lindow Man was found in 1984 and is now displayed at the British Museum. A former racecourse once circled the site, leaving behind Racecourse Road around the perimeter. The common is one of only two sites in Cheshire with lowland wet heath, and work is under way to remove some birch trees. This aims to encourage heather to grow back and restore the heathland habitat. Managed by the local authority, it sits within the historic parish of Lindow and appears in Alan Garner’s children’s novel The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. Visitors find open heath, scattered birch woodland and the Black Lake at the centre. Heather and peat bog plants grow across the wet heath, while the surrounding road follows the old racecourse boundary. The site offers quiet walking and a chance to see wildlife typical of lowland heath.