Sot's Hole Local Nature Reserve
Sot's Hole is a local nature reserve in West Midlands, England. It is on the west side of Sandwell Valley, and north-east of West Bromwich.
Description
The site, area is owned and managed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, and was declared a local nature reserve in 1996.The main entrance is on Church Vale, West Bromwich. A surfaced path leads through the reserve, linking to paths leading to Sandwell Valley Country Park. There is a picnic site.
The reserve is situated on a geological fault line, so that the terrain has steep sides and has remained undeveloped. There are woods, in both damp and dry conditions; there is a small stream and areas of marsh. Some of the woodland is described as semi-ancient woodland. The varied habitats are home to a range of plants, insects and birds; the marsh areas support plants such as water horsetail and marsh thistle.
The name Sot's Hole may relate to a pub in the 18th century, in Church Vale next to the site, of which the publican Richard Reeves was known to be an alcoholic; or to heavy drinkers at a nearby pub The Bear and Ragged Staff in the 18th century.
A gate to the woodland, designed by Tim Tolkien, was erected in 2008. Since the site is known particularly for bluebells in spring, there is a Bluebell sculpture, also by Tolkien.