Clattinger Farm Nature Reserve

Clattinger Farm is a precious remnant of a near-vanished type of grassland, the hay meadow. Its fabulous richness as a wildlife habitat is a tribute to the previous owners who farmed it traditionally, without artificial fertilisers. Acquired by the Trust in 1996, it is considered the finest remaining example of enclosed lowland grassland in the UK and is of international importance for its hay meadow wildflowers. It has legal protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and is part of a Special Area of Conservation.

Wildlife

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 (Dactylorhiza praetermissa), and the nationally rare Downy-fruited Sedge (Carex filiformis), are amongst its treasures.

Earlier in the season, in April, you can see the fragile, nodding heads of the Snakeshead Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), once common enough to pick by the armload, but now surviving only in a few protected spots.

History and management

Part of the Braydon Forest area, Clattinger Farm forms a section of a large-scale effort to restore a mosaic of woods and meadows across the landscape, as well as the wildflowers, butterflies, Curlews (Numenius arquata) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba) that depend on them. The hay is cut in July, after the flowers have seeded.

Other information

Please keep to edge of the fields to avoid damaging the flowers.
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Late April for Snakeshead Fritillary, to the end of June for hay meadow flowers (hay is cut in July).
Habitat: Hay meadow.
Specialities on the reserve: Snakeshead Fritillary in late April, Downy-fruited Sedge and a range of orchid species
Location: From Malmesbury to Cirencester road (A429), turn at the village of Crudwell, towards Eastcourt. Turn left at Eastcourt for Oaksey. At Oaksey turn right at first min-roundabout and straight on at next one (for Ashton Keynes). 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 017937.