With its bell-shaped petals and resemblance to a chessboard pattern, this flower is hard to miss among the marshy hay meadows. Standing out from the crowd, these plants have earned the nicknames ‘chess flower’ and ‘frog cup’. These can be seen across Wiltshire, but despite their national beauty, they have become a rare sight in the United Kingdom. 

What makes these flowers special?

Snakeshead Fritillaries are unique among other wildflowers. Look closely, and you will see their petals are patterned delicately with a chessboard of bright pinks, purples and whites.

These unique formations grow to about 30 centimetres tall, arching from a thin stem and greenish-grey leaves. They also play a vital ecological role, producing nectar which attracts pollinators such as bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies, which help maintain meadow survival.

Where to find them in Wiltshire?

If you're hoping to catch Snakehead Fritillaries, keep an eye out between April and May. These flowers appear in meadows with damp, rich soil, commonly near floodplains and partially shaded areas. 

Lower Moor Farm:

Visit Clattinger Farm Meadows in late April, where you will find carpets of thousands of white, pink and purple Snakehead Fritillaries. These magical meadows situated in Lower Moor Farm Reserve near Oaksey, North Wiltshire, are one of the best-kept enclosed lowland grasslands in the UK. This is because the land has had no agricultural chemical interference. These meadows have been awarded international status for their hay meadow flowers and are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Upper Waterhay:

Step into something different at a stronghold of Snakehead Fritillaries. Visit these wildflower meadows in the middle of April, where the rarer, wondrous white flowers linger. Throughout the year, these meadows in Cricklade are maintained by cattle grazing on the bulbs and hay-cutting to allow seeds to disperse. 

North Meadow:

Home to the largest population of fritillaries in the country, this Natural England reserve, North Meadow in Cricklade, is estimated to have 85% of the UK population of these flowers. On your next spring stroll, look out for these special flowers. 

A glimpse into Fritillaries' past

Though native across Europe, Snakeshead Fritillaries were not always wild in Britain; these plants were thought to have escaped from gardens. Early records of them date back to London in 1737. 

Fast forward to the 1950s, and these flowers were abundant and picked in bunches by the River Thames in London. The flowers were then sold at markets like Covent Garden for just pennies.

Sadly, there has been a decline in these plants in meadows due to over-picking and modern agricultural practices across the UK.

How can you help them

Snakehead Fritillaries are now classed as vulnerable on the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain and need more help with their long-term protection. This is what you can do to help preserve this historic flower and help its population bounce back.

• Support conservation work - Join or donate to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust as a member and support our work in restoring our meadows. Volunteer with your local wildlife trust group to help manage these flowers, understanding, cutting, reseeding, and encouraging grazing animals to help these flowers flourish
• Plant them at home -  Find a spot in your garden in a semi-shaded area with moist soil. Get your tools at the ready and plant seeds between August and November to see new growth in your own back garden
• Save your seeds – Collect, harvest and store seeds in a warm place to plant for new growth in future spring seasons