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Ryewater Farm

Wildflowers at Ryewater Farm © Joe Costley/Plantlife

Wildflowers at Ryewater Farm © Joe Costley/Plantlife

Location: Corscombe, Dorset

Grid Reference: ST 512 064

Ryewater Farm is a 38-acre nature reserve, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a candidate Special Area of Conservation in recognition of its importance for wildlife. The reserve was acquired by Plantlife in 1997.

A number of important habitats are present at Ryewater Farm, including unimproved pasture and species-rich hay meadows, enclosed by thick hedgerows and ancient woodland.

Ryewater Farm is registered as organic and is managed by a combination of hay-making and cattle grazing.

Wildflowers at the reserve

WHAT TO SEE AND WHEN

April: ramsons

May: meadow buttercup

June: dyer's greenweed, common spotted-orchid, yellow rattle

July: The hay is usually cut around the middle of July, but in the first two weeks of this month you can see late flowering meadow species such as black knapweed, meadow thistle and corky-fruited water-dropwort.

The summer is a particularly good time to visit the reserve, as this is when the grassland flowers are at their best, including Dyer’s greenweed, pepper-saxifrage, oxeye daisy and corky-fruited water-dropwort.

The woodland areas are dominated by ash, oak, birch and hazel with an interesting ground flora including dog’s mercury, wood anemone and moschatel.

Directions

Click here to download a map of the reserve.


From Yeovil, head west on the A30, approximately four miles after East Chinnock, turn left onto the A3066 and when you reach the A356, turn left and head through South Perrott. Two to three miles past South Perrott, turn left and drive along a narrow lane towards Corscombe. At the bottom, turn left at the T-junction then take the first left after Corscombe Farm. This is a narrow muddy track, which leads to the reserve.

Please note that there is no parking at the reserve or in the village. The only parking is in the lay-bys on the A356 about 3 miles from Ryewater Farm. The nearest train station is Crewkerne, which is 6 miles from the reserve.