Nature Reserves
North Meadow
North Meadow is an old, flower-rich hay meadow on the northern edge of Cricklade managed by English Nature. The meadow supports Britain?s largest population of the snake?s head fritillary, a beautiful and nationally scarce flower, plus a rich abundance of other wildflowers and wildlife
Key Facts
- Lowland hay meadow
- Snake's Head fritillary
- Adder's tongue fern
- 20 species grass
- Rich variety of wildflowers
- Buntings, warblers and more
North Meadow Nature Reserve
North Meadow is protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and is managed by the Wiltshire Team of English Nature
What to see when
Spring
The meadow?s impressive display of snake?s head fritillaries appears, along with bright yellow clusters of marsh marigold and the pink of cuckooflower, plus the diminutive adder?s tongue fern and the first of the early marsh orchids.
In spring, skylarks make nests amongst the grass, while in the hedges and tree hollows, great tits, blue tits, chaffinches, linnets and tree creepers settle in
Summer
North Meadow bursts into colour with hay meadow flowers, for example greater burnet and common knapweed, cowslip, meadow buttercup and yellow rattle, while the rest of the meadow is filled with ox-eye daisies, meadow rue and meadow sweet. There are also over 20 species of grass, including crested dog?s tail and yellow oat grass.
Along the banks of the Rivers Thames and Churn, reed buntings, grey wagtails and sedge warblers can be found, with swallows, sand martins and swifts dancing overhead.
In the summer months many interesting insects are to be seen buzzing around the beautiful hay meadow flowers, including brightly coloured burnet moths, dramatic blue damselflies and a host of beetles.
Winter
The site is used by visiting waders, but is often flooded so check before setting out.
Location
North Meadow is about 20 minutes walk north west of Cricklade town centre. Car parking and bus links can be found in the town, from where the reserve can be reached by public footpaths. The towpath of the disused canal also leads to North Meadow, and can be accessed from Cerney Wick or the Gateway Centre, Spine Road.
There is some roadside parking within 300 metres of the reserve, although this can be very busy at fritillary time ! There is a bus service which runs through Cricklade. There is a disabled access gate at the site, although the reserve can become very wet, so access is not advised at these times. Access is restricted to the public footpath.
