North Meadow, Cricklade NNR
North Meadow is an old, flower-rich hay meadow on the northern edge of Cricklade. It lies on the glacial flood plain of the River Thames and the River Churn.
County: Wiltshire
Main habitats: Lowland Grassland
Area: 44 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map
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Download a leaflet: (313kb)
describing this reserve.
Location and access
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.
There is roadside parking within 300 metres of the reserve, and 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.
Why is it important?
North Meadow has a great variety of wildflowers and is of international importance as one of the finest examples of a lowland hay meadow in Europe. It is protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The meadow also supports Britain’s largest population of the snake’s head fritillary. This is a beautiful and nationally scarce flower, cultivated varieties of which will be familiar to many gardeners.
Once there were many meadows like this along the upper Thames but very few remain today; most have been destroyed by agricultural ‘improvement’ or gravel extraction.
How is it managed?
The people of Cricklade have managed North Meadow for hundreds of years. Natural England (and previously English Nature) has owned most of the meadow since the early 1970s, working closely with the Court Leet and residents of Cricklade to ensure this traditional regime continues.
During the winter months the Rivers Thames and Churn frequently flood the meadow. Flooding is vital to the growth of many plants and helps to maintain the great variety of species at North Meadow.
During the spring/early summer a hay crop is grown and sold to local farmers. The hay is cut after 1 July when the wildflowers have set seed and has to be removed by 12 August before the meadow becomes too wet for heavy vehicles. Several ancient carved stones positioned at various points across the meadow mark the boundaries separating the different 'hay lots'.
Following the hay crop, the meadow is used as a common for the inhabitants of Cricklade to graze their livestock until 12 February of the following year. After this the meadow is rested ready for the next year’s hay season.
What to see and when
North Meadow guided walks: (267kb)
(April - May 2012)
North Meadow has something to offer almost all year round. In 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. Also at this time of year, if you look closely, you will see the diminutive adder’s tongue fern and the first of the early marsh orchids.
By June, North Meadow bursts into colour with hay meadow flowers. The rich purples of greater burnet and common knapweed contrast with the yellows of cowslip, meadow buttercup and yellow rattle, while the rest of the meadow is filled with ox-eye daisies, meadow rue and meadow sweet.
North meadow is famous for its meadow flowers and the nationally-scarce fritillaries, which draw in many visitors. ‘Fritillary watch’ provides regular updates on what to see when as well as linking to other information hosted on the locally-managed, Cricklade in Bloom website. The website also provides details of guided walks, where you can stop for tea (check site for opening times), and other features of North Meadow and the Cricklade area.
There are also over 20 species of grass, including crested dog’s tail and yellow oat grass. Plants are not the only attraction at North Meadow. 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.
Throughout the year the meadow and its boundary hedges are filled with bird life. 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. 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 winter the meadow is visited by a variety of wading birds.
Floodplain Meadows Partnership
North Meadow is a major research site for the Floodplain Meadows Partnership (based at the Open University) who have been monitoring the plants, soils and water for many years. This information is used to develop our understanding of how these rare plant communities change in response to wider environmental factors. Trends noted here are used to guide management on similar meadows elsewhere and North Meadow therefore plays a central role in future conservation of floodplain meadows across the country.
Further information
