A former dairy farm, the meadows were maintained as pasture until the deep ploughing of the entire 40-hectare site in 2019. This was followed by heavy rainfall and flooding which led to massive soil erosion, carbon release into the atmosphere and habitat destruction. Since then, plants such as dock had begun to dominate, in place of diverse grasses and wildflowers.  

Nationally, floodplain meadows – a rare and important wildlife habitat, have suffered substantial decline due to agricultural intensification, with only 3% (1,171ha) now remaining. Restored, Bartonsham Meadows have the potential to add around 2% to the existing national total. 

This project will create new habitats for wildlife and connect local communities to the returning nature on their doorstep. The project will benefit the wider environment by stabilising the soil, reducing river pollution and flooding, fixing carbon in the soil and connecting habitats for wildlife. The meadows, just south of Hereford city centre, are in walking distance for many local residents and schools as well as local industry.  

18 hectares of the site will be restored as floodplain meadow habitat through harvesting hay, grazing cattle and sheep and introducing wildflower and grass seed. A further 17 hectares will be left to develop and regenerate naturally. Already this year, a pair of Herefordshire’s rarest warblers – the grasshopper warbler - is thought to have nested there and many more birds, insects and mammals are now finding a home. 

Project staff will collaborate with local community groups including the Friends of Bartonsham Meadows who were instrumental in securing the site as a nature reserve and who continue to support the site’s management. The project will also offer opportunities for volunteers to get involved with all aspects of the management of the reserve and develop new skills from practical management to monitoring and recording wildlife. The team will also work with local schools and other groups to ensure as many local people as possible are welcomed to the reserve.  

Access to large areas of the meadows will be maintained with new information signs and benches and fencing and gates will installed in some areas of the site to ensure that people and dogs, as well as livestock, are safe while on the reserve.  

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Project Manager David Hutton said: 

“It’s great to be starting this project and working with local people who have worked so hard to make this happen. We have already seen a great deal of new species taking up residence and hope to create space for more in future.” 

Gemma Williams, Ecology and Biodiversity Advisor at Welsh Water said: 

“Supporting the floodplain meadow through Welsh Water’s environment fund is exactly what it was set up to do – enhancing biodiversity, nature and communities across our operating area. It’s exciting to hear that new species are already reaping the benefits of the restoration and this is only the beginning.” 

Keep an eye out for future family events, guided walks and talks to see how the meadows develop over time and learn about the site’s history. Bartonsham Meadows | Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (herefordshirewt.org)