A Feast of Wild Flowers in the Cotswolds

A Feast of Wild Flowers in the Cotswolds

We had a fantastic day yesterday exploring 3 amazing places to see spectacular wild flowers in the Cotswolds. We started off at Barnsley Warren SSI where the Pasqueflowers are looking superb. They are on a beautiful Cotswold hillside – the setting is stunning.

Next, we moved on to North Meadow~ in Cricklade which is an amazing meadow overflowing with Snakeshead fritillaries I hadn’t realised just how large the meadow is…or quite how many Snakeshead fritillaries there would be.

In the afternoon we went to Clattinger Farm – an ancient meadow. It is a carpet of cowslips at the moment and the first Green Winged Orchids are making an appearance.

An amazing day – if you want to see the Pasqueflowers or the Snakeshead fritillaries you will have to move fast. They are at their best now!

 

             

Snakes Head Fritillaries

Snakes Head Fritillaries

Around 80% of Britain’s Snakes Head Fritillaries grow at North Meadow in Cricklade. North Meadow is an area of 110 acres of ancient hay meadow which is rich in wild flowers. It lies on the flood plain between the River Thames and the River Churn and as such can often be flooded during the winter months. In early spring North Meadow comes to life with a fabulous display of wildflowers and grasses, but it is for the Snakes Head Fritillaries that it is most famous. They are usually at their prime in the second and third weeks of April. The National Nature Reserve is open to the public at all times, or you can join a guided walk.
For more information visit http://www.crickladeinbloom.co.uk/cricklade_north_meadow_guided_walks.html