Ramsbury Meadow

Ramsbury Meadow

Ramsbury Meadow nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Steve Day

Located on the flood plain of the River Kennet.

Location

Marlborough
Wiltshire
SN8 2QN

OS Map Reference

OS map 157 Grid ref: SU 27296 71469

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A static map of Ramsbury Meadow

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Park on the High Street in Ramsbury. Take the path on the left of the Fire Station leading to the reserve entrance.

Bicycle parking

None

Grazing animals

None

Walking trails

There is a circular path with boardwalks.

Access

Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. 
Can be muddy in the winter.

Dogs

On a lead

See our FAQ's for more information

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring and summer. Nearby attractions include Fyfield Down National Nature Reserve (8 miles), Barbury Castle Country Park (8 miles), Uffington Castle and White Horse (9 miles), Avebury (11 miles).

About the reserve

This nature reserve is located on the flood plain of the River Kennet and for hundreds of years provided grazing for sheep. During the 17th and 18th centuries it was part of a series of water-meadows. You can still see traces of the old ditches used to irrigate the land with nutrient-rich river water, to encourage an early growth of grass for grazing. The ditches were fed from the leat (artificial watercourse) which separates the meadow from adjoining gardens.

Here you will find wild plants typical of wetland habitats. Greater and lesser pond-sedges produce tufty heads from the end of May. Meadowsweet, wild angelica and hemp agrimony attract butterflies such as the small tortoiseshell. Pink-flowered comfrey was used to heal wounds and broken limbs, hence its old name ‘bone-set’.

Boardwalks, a dipping platform and bridges form part of the circular path through the meadow. It’s best to stay on the path as the ground is very wet and in places poisonous hemlock water dropwort grows. In spring look for the golden-yellow flowers of marsh marigold along the silted up ditch, and the yellow flag iris from May to July. The emperor dragonfly and blue-tailed damselfly breed in the pond and there is a thriving frog population. Sticklebacks swim beneath its surface. On the pretty River Kennet you can watch mute swans, mallards, coots and moorhens.

The site is managed by Ramsbury Parish Council and volunteers who keep the path and ditches clear from vegetation.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB)
County Wildlife Site
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Map of Ramsbury Meadow

Map of Ramsbury Meadow