Echo Lodge Meadows

Marsh fritillary butterfly

Marsh fritillary butterfly at Echo Lodge Meadows, Wiltshire. Credit: Eleanor Dodson.

Visit these three meadows near Royal Wootton Bassett in spring and summer for their vivid wildflower displays.

Location

Royal Wootton Bassett
Wiltshire
SN15 5EF

OS Map Reference

SU039854

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A static map of Echo Lodge Meadows

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

About 0.5 miles along Wood Lane, after crossing a small bridge, turn right down a narrow track signed as bridleway to car park. Reserve entrance and information board are on the right at the entrance to the car park straight ahead of the track.

Bicycle parking

Yes. Follow National Cycle Route 254 along Wood Lane until right turn into track, as above.

Grazing animals

Yes

Access

The adjacent Webbs Wood has gravelled paths. The meadow has no paths.

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 Lydiard Park and Mansion (4 miles), Cotswold Water Park (6 miles), North Meadow National Nature Reserve (6 miles), Keynes Park (6 miles).

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 has its own special habitat and 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.

Adjacent Webb’s Wood provides a woodland edge which is favoured by butterflies - the purple hairstreak, white admiral, purple emperor and silver-washed fritillary to name a few.

A small copse contains the uncommon small-leaved lime. Spot the delicate spindles of enchanter's nightshade.

More than 400 species of fungi can be found on the reserve, so look closely at old trees, dead wood stumps and rotting logs - places you are most likely to find them.

Barn owl, snipe, woodcock and raven are present.

In July 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.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Map of Echo Lodge

Map of Echo Lodge
Great space to enjoy the countryside.
Simon from Marlborough
Volunteer

Volunteer, Aline Denton, cuts brambles and blackthorn as part of the farm's conservation management - Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Volunteer at Echo Lodge

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