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Seaton Meadows

Oxeye daisies and other wildflowers in bloom at Seaton Meadows. © Simon Williams/Plantlife

Oxeye daisies and other wildflowers in bloom at Seaton Meadows. © Simon Williams/Plantlife

Location: Near Harringworth, Rutland

Grid Reference: SP 915 979

Seaton Meadows lie on a flat area of land beneath the Welland Viaduct and represent one of the last surviving remnants of unimproved flood meadow in Rutland. The reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), in recognition of its importance for wildlife.

The meadows are cut for hay in late summer, and the regrowth is then grazed by cattle or sheep. Livestock are removed before the winter months to prevent poaching damage to the sward.

Wildflowers at the reserve

WHAT TO SEE AND WHEN

April: marsh marigold

May: cuckooflower, ragged-robin, pignut

June: yellow rattle, common meadow-rue, oxeye daisy

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- sweet, pepper-saxifrage and great burnet.

Large areas of the reserve are prone to flooding during the winter, and these areas are characterised by species such as great burnet, meadowsweet, meadow vetchling and greater bird’s-foot-trefoil.

Some areas of the reserve are on higher ground, so escape regular flooding and these areas support a different suite of species including pignut, lady’s bedstraw and oxeye daisy. The reserve is also home to a number of bird species including meadow pipit, snipe and skylark.

Directions

Click here to download a map of the reserve.


From Peterborough take the A47 to Morcott and turn left on the B672 towards Caldecott. About 2 miles along this road, park under the viaduct and the entrance to Seaton is through a gate on the left.

The nearest train station is Oakham, which is approximately 10 miles from the reserve.

To avoid damaging the hay crop please keep to the edge of the fields.