About the reserve

Bay Meadows is at the heart of an amazing chalk landscape, sitting within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. 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 many species, runs through the reserve, making it an important wildlife corridor between Ogbourne Maisey and Marlborough. Bay Meadows is a great example of a reserve for people and nature, comprising 30 acres of restored floodplain meadow with outdoor classroom space.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust restored and enhanced the floodplain meadows into better habitats for mammals, birds, fish and pollinators. Bay Meadows is home to watervoles, otters, kingfishers and wild brown trout. 

The reserve offers space to connect with nature, unwind, and enjoy peaceful surroundings.

Visitors can observe wildlife within the reserve, and enjoy the space afforded for adventures such as den building, logs for climbing and a willow arch and bug hotels for exploration. Several mown areas within the meadow provide places to relax, have a picnic, or simply take in the beautiful scenery.

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.