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Skylark Meadows
Skylark Meadows. © James Peat/Plantlife
Location: Bawdrip, Somerset
Grid Reference: ST 348 390
Skylark Meadows are an oasis for wildlife in the midst of an intensely farmed landscape. They were saved from a similar agricultural fate after a campaign by local people led to their purchase by Plantlife in 1999.
Skylarks nest on the meadows each year and the constant sound of their wonderful song during the summer months inspired local people to give the fields their name. They are cut for hay in late summer and the regrowth is then grazed by cattle or sheep.
Wildflowers at the reserve
WHAT TO SEE AND WHEN
May: adderstongue, meadow buttercup
June: yellow rattle, oxeye daisy, meadow vetchling
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, pepper-saxifrage and corky-fruited water-dropwort.
Vetchling and pepper-saxifrage add colour to the hay meadows in the summer, and in the spring a good display of cowslips can be seen.
Directions
Click here to download a map of the reserve.
From Junction 23 of the M5 take the A39 towards Street. After approximately 2 miles turn right towards Bawdrip. Follow this road into Bawdrip village and park near to the church. Please note that parking space is limited.
From the church, walk south past the school on the left hand side. Then turn into Stone Drove which is the first turn on the left after the school. Follow Stone Drove and then the public footpath which will lead you to the reserve. In total, the reserve is approximately ½ mile walk from the church.
The nearest train station is Bridgwater which is 4 miles from the reserve.
You are welcome to visit the reserve at any time, but please keep to the footpath during the summer months so as to avoid disturbing the nesting Skylarks.
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