Muckle Moss NNR is a mire, or ‘peat-bog’, that occupies an oval shaped depression confined between two parallel sandstone ridges. The mire surface is a saturated carpet of multicoloured bog mosses, cotton grass and heather that is surrounded by heath, woodland and grassland. Main habitats: Sphagnum dominated mire and dwarf shrub heath with areas of wet woodland. Features of interest There are parts of the NNR that give a sense of isolation and the views from the ridges are panoramic across the Tyne Valley to the North Pennines, even on to Cross Fell and north over Housetead’s Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall and on to the Border Uplands. The main features of the site are the mire habitats and the unique surface patterning which can be seen all year and viewed safely from the western sandstone ridges. See the site visitor leaflet for more details. Directions The nearest station is Bardon Mill, 2 kilometres south east of the NNR. Hadrian’s Wall Bus AD122 – Tel 01434 322002 . Arriva 685 service operates daily along A69 between Newcastle and Carlisle. Arriva 681 and 185 bus service operates Monday to Saturday between Once Brewed to Housetead’s car park. At the east end of Bardon Mill village take the road north, under the A69 bridge, sign posted for Thorngrafton, follow this road through Thorngrafton. Once through the village follow the road for 1km and turn sharp left. After 500m there is a lane on the right with limited parking and a footpath sign that leads through a gate onto the NNR. The National Cycle Network Route 72 runs along the Stanegate, a public road forming the northern boundary. Contact For more information about the reserve telephone 01833 622374.