Barrie Wilkinson

Robert Enderby

Lilianna Witkowska-Wawer

Sotby Meadows

Small meadows with rich grassland and hedgerow flora.

Location

Moor Lane
Sotby

Horncastle

Nearest postcode LN8 5LR

OS Map Reference

TF 205 778

Know before you go

Size

6 hectares

Parking information

Park on the green lane

Grazing animals

Sheep

Walking trails

Please keep to the field footpath and avoid trampling, especially before hay cutting time

Access

Rough terrain, hand gate is unsuitable for wheelchair users

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to July

About the reserve

These small meadows with the adjoining green lane and large old hedges form a landscape and wildlife feature of special interest, representing a type of countryside that has now almost vanished in Lincolnshire.

There is a rich grassland flora which includes pyramidal and green-winged orchids. Around 200 species have been recorded, including 28 grasses. The hedges are fine examples of old species-rich hedgerows. The green lane hedge adjoining the reserve has oak, ash, hawthorn, purging buckthorn, blackthorn, crab apple, midland hawthorn and field maple. 17 breeding species of birds have been recorded in the hedgerows.

Management consists of taking a late summer hay-crop and grazing the aftermath during autumn.

Nearest postcode LN8 5LR. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.