Natural England - Mottey Meadows NNR

Mottey Meadows NNR

Mottey Meadows National Nature Reserve is one of the best examples in the UK of wildflower rich floodplain meadows. The reserve comprises a series of alluvial flood meadows which have been managed as hay meadows for many centuries.

Where: Staffordshire

Main habitats: Lowland grassland

Area: 37 Ha

Why Visit: The reserve's grassland supports over 240 species of flowering plants and grasses, including the rare and beautiful snakes head fritillary. Ditches on the site are home to plants such as common meadow rue, yellow flag iris and water mint. In the wetter meadows you will find cuckoo flower and marsh marigold.

By mid June the meadows at their best with a sea of great burnet, ragged robin, knapweed and other hay meadow specialists such as pepper saxifrage, meadow rue, meadow thistle and saw wort.

The site supports a number of invertebrate species, including numerous species of butterflies and the rare horsetail weevil. Mottey Meadows is also home to breeding birds such as snipe, curlew and lapwing.

Please note the site is limited to permit holders only apart from guided walks, found on our events page. A permissive path is open through the hay meadows for the public to see the best of the wildflower displays from 1st June to 31st August. For details contact the Natural England Shropshire office.

Dogs must be kept on leads at all times as rare ground nesting birds breed on the reserve.

Star Species: Snakes head fritillary, hay meadow flowers, curlew

Access: The site is 2 km north of the A5, 0.5 km south of Marston village and 1 km west of the town of Wheaton Aston. By car, access to the site is via minor roads from the A5, A41, A449 and A518.

The nearest train station is in Penkridge, 8 km to the east. Bus services between Penkridge and Wheaton Aston are provided by Choice Travel.