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Ashton Court Meadow
Meadow
for green-winged orchids in spring

Ashton Court Meadow is a very special and wild part of the Ashton Court Estate. In spring and summer it is full of wildflowers, and clouds of butterflies can be seen here on sunny days.

What to look out for

The reserve is particularly memorable in May, when parts of the meadow will be full of green-winged orchids. In July, the main attraction is the butterflies. Clouds of marbled whites, meadow browns and many others can be seen skimming over the grass. This is also a good site for colourful day-flying burnet moths.

Other flowering plants include wild carrot, yellow-wort and field scabious. Some unusual parasitic plants are also found here, such as common broomrape which feeds off clovers, and yellow-rattle, which feeds partly off grass. The meadow is cut for hay in late summer. Scrubby, bushy plants are managed to maintain a balance with the grassland.

Further information

Ashton Court is owned by Bristol City Council and managed by agreement.

 

  Getting there by
Bike View a location map of the reserve on the National Cycle Network website.
Public transport Go to www.traveline.org.uk
Car

The nearest parking to the meadow is in the golf course car park within the Ashton Court Estate, which can be accessed from A369 Leigh woods. Follow the gravel track until you reach a hedged area.

Parking on Beggar Bush Lane (B3129) is now prohibited.

 
Further information
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reserve map
Reserve map National Cycle Network
Location details
 Grid ref
 ST 543 719
 Area  2.37 hectares