Ramsbury Meadow Nature Reserve

Welcome to Ramsbury Meadow

Bordered by the river Kennet to the south and the Mill stream to the north, Ramsbury Meadow offers much to interest both the naturalist and the layman. The reserve is a small unimproved water meadow of about 3 acres with a pond and an old ditch running through the middle. The meadow edges are bordered by trees and shrubs. It can be damp and sometimes very wet underfoot, conditions vary depending on the water level and local rainfall. The boardwalk provides dry access at all times of year.

The meadow flora is not particularly diverse and historical records are few. In 1980 plants recorded included marsh marigold, marsh valerian, yellow flag iris, meadowsweet, orchids (including a single rare early marsh orchid), pond sedges, reeds and tall herbs. Nettles thriving on nutrient rich soils had become a problem by the early 1990s, but regular cutting slowly reduced their dominance and today you will see pond sedges, tall grasses and sedges in abundance.

In spring, yellow flag iris flowers along the ditch and in mid summer the pale cream flowers of meadowsweet. Other flowering plants include great willow-herb, comfrey, persicara, hogweed, gipsywort, and common fleabane. Many varieties of grasses can be seen in the drier NW corner, such as cat's-tail, sterile brome, cocksfoot, false oat-grass, tufted hair-grass and Yorkshire fog.

In the pond, duckweed and amphibious bistort are common. In mid summer the statuesque flowering-rush rises from the water presenting flower heads of white and red. The dipping platform over the pond provides an opportunity to discover what lives beneath the water. Many frogs inhabit the pond area and damper parts of the meadow.

Many birds frequent the meadow and bushy edges, including nightingales. Water voles have been seen in the river and one day soon perhaps otters will live here too.

The meadow was donated to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 1980 (then the Wiltshire Trust for Nature Conservation) by Barbara Woodhead, a resident of Ramsbury High Street.

Management

The reserve is managed by Ramsbury Parish Council on a 15 year lease from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust which commenced in 2002. For a number of years the meadow has been cut each year in late summer after most of the flowers have set seed, then grazing animals have been put on to do 'aftermath grazing'. The animals are removed once the vegetation has been eaten down sufficiently but before the ground has been damaged.
Alternatively, the meadow could be grazed by a small number of cattle of a suitable breed for a longer period between April and September, removing the need for cutting.
However, if no animals are available during the year, two cuts may be necessary, in late summer and in early spring before growth starts.
The pond will be cleared of vegetation in sections over a number of years to ensure open water is maintained.

The boardwalk was constructed by BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) with funding from Ramsbury Parish Council. BTCV brought volunteers from Swindon, Bath and Bristol, on several days during summer 2002 to complete the work, with assistance from members of Ramsbury Horticultural Society.

Visitor Information

Location: The meadow is situated behind the Fire Station in Ramsbury village, accessed by a short path from the High Street and small bridge over a stream. Ramsbury is serviced by buses from Marlborough, Hungerford and Swindon. Cars can be parked in the High Street.
OS grid reference: SU 273 714.
Shelter on the reserve: None
Nearest food and drink: Ramsbury has three Public Houses all serving food, and two grocery shops.
Nearest public telephone: Outside the Memorial Hall in Ramsbury High Street.
Nearest toilets: Next to the Memorial Hall in Ramsbury High Street.
Nearest casualty department: Great Western Hospital, Swindon (M4 Junction 15).

Copyright © J. Hierons 2003