Martin Mere

About Martin Mere

In Tarlscough on the West Lancashire Coastal Plain, Martin Mere is an enormous stretch of marshland that was once the largest body of freshwater in England. Now drained, a significant proportion is managed as a wetland nature reserve by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a European Special Protection Area and a Ramsar Wetland. It hosts a huge array of wildlife; predominantly interesting, though, are the birds which come from all over Europe and beyond to overwinter. The Reserve runs art, photography and bird-watching workshops and canoe safaris. Walking is also popular.