About the reserve

Visit these three meadows in spring and summer for their vivid wild flower displays.

Wood Field is a large area of grassland that was a part of Webb’s Wood until the area was cleared during the 1950s. Skinner’s Ground and Ditch Field are much older, sheltered, flower-rich meadows laying either side of Woodridge Brook, which forms much of the southern boundary.

Skinner’s Ground has the most wild flowers - more than 80 species have been seen here. Orchids include pyramidal, heath spotted orchid, southern marsh, early purple and green-winged.

In the middle is a pond, overhung by an old oak pollard, where gipsywort can be found. A small copse contains the uncommon small-leaved lime. Spot the delicate spindles of enchanter's nightshade. Barn owl, snipe, woodcock and raven are present.

In July (or when a window is presented by the weather) we cut hay in Skinner’s Ground and Ditch Field and then graze with cattle or sheep in the autumn to control the more vigorous grasses. Wood Field has fewer flowers so we mostly manage it by grazing, which benefits insects.