Barrie Wilkinson

Willoughby Meadow

Small SSSI meadow on the Middle Marsh Boulder Clay.

Location

0.5km south of Willoughby

Alford

Nearest postcode LN13 9NN

OS Map Reference

TF 472 713

Know before you go

Size

3 hectares

Parking information

Parking by entrance

Grazing animals

Cattle

Walking trails

The meadow is vulnerable to trampling, especially before hay cutting time, visitors are requested to avoid damaging the crop

Access

Not suitable for wheelchair users; locked gates are in place due to vandalism, please call 01507 526667 to arrange a visit

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

The small SSSI meadow on the Middle Marsh Boulder Clay is one of the finest remaining examples of its type. There is a rich assemblage of meadow plants, including cowslip, great burnet, pepper saxifrage, adder's-tongue, devil's-bit scabious, saw-wort, betony and green-winged orchid. Bugle and lady's mantle, more usually associated with woodland rides, also occur. No less than 149 species of flowering plants have been recorded.

There are good boundary hedges and old hedgerow trees attractive to whitethroat and lesser whitethroat. The adjoining pasture acts as a buffer to the SSSI. It is grazed during the summer. The cattle are also used to graze the SSSI meadow after the hay has been cut.

Nearest postcode LN13 9NN. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.