About the reserve

Bay Meadows is at the heart of an amazing chalk landscape, sitting within the North Wessex Downs AONB. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust purchased the site in 2022, safeguarding rapidly declining habitats and saving it from the threat of change of use that would have destroyed its value for wildlife.

The River Og, a typical Wiltshire chalk stream that provides a home for a many species, runs through the reserve, making it an important wildlife corridor between Ogbourne Maisey and Marlborough. Bay Meadows is both a nature park for everyone to visit and a nature reserve for wildlife, comprising 30 acres of restored water meadows.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust restored and enhanced the floodplain meadows into better habitat for mammals, birds, fish and pollinators. Bay Meadows is home to otters, kingfishers and wild brown trout. It is also one of the few remaining refuges of water voles in the country.

The Nature Park provides a wonderful place to explore nature, relax and have a mindful experience in beautiful surroundings.

You can paddle in the river and experience fresh, clear water running between your toes in the chalt stream or sit on the river bank listening to the trickling sounds of the water whilst watching dragonflies. From the nature park you can sit and watch the wildlife in the reserve.

There is a den building area, logs to climb on and an enchanted tunnel which provides shade on a hot day or shelter from the rain. There is also a bug hunting trail, reptile mats and bug hotels to explore. There are several chill out areas mown in the meadow where you can sit have a picnic or just enjoy the view.

History of Bay Meadows

King John’s fishpond was constructed in 1204 to flood the fields as far as the parking Bay at the northern most end. This was used to stock fish to supply Marlborough castle. Parts of the dam still exist as a Scheduled Monument further down river on council land.

Bay Meadows was thought to be a main trading route from nearer the source of the Og at Draycot, near Chiseldon a farm complex with a bath suite and a grain dryer as well as a boat hook discovered in the hypocaust as well as loading structures at the river. To Cunetio, Mildenhall a Roman fort and small town, centre of local administration and trading centre.

The Og was canalised and would have enabled small boats to transport grain downstream to Mildenhall and the Kennet. This area was a bread basket in the Roman era.