Nature Reserves
Clattinger Farm
Acquired by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 1996, this wonderful corner of Wiltshire is considered the finest remaining example of enclosed lowland grassland in the UK, and one of the best examples of hay meadows in the country
Features
- SSSI
- Snakes Head Fritillary
- Southern Marsh Orchid
- Burnt Tip Orchid
- Green Winged Orchid
- Downy-fruited Sedge
When to visit
Early in the year, in April, you can see the fragile, nodding heads of the Snakes Head Fritillary, once common enough to pick by the armload, but now surviving only in a few protected spots.
Clattinger Farm is breathtaking in June, when the wildflower meadows are at their most colourful. A walk around the nature reserve will offer a glimpse of plants that were once common, but some of which are now extremely rare. Several species of orchid, including the Southern Marsh Orchid, and the nationally-rare Downy-fruited Sedge, are amongst its treasures. The hay is cut in July, after the flowers have seeded.
Location
From Malmesbury to Cirencester road (A429), turn at the village of Crudwell, towards Eastcourt. Turn left at Eastcourt for Oaksey. Go through the village and 1.5 miles after the railway bridge, turn right towards Minety. The reserve entrance (look out for a stile) is marked about 0.5 miles on the right, opposite the entrance to Swillbrook Lakes Nature Reserve.
There is parking on both sides of the road at grid reference SU 017 937.
