 |
| 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 Estate is owned by Bristol City Council and managed
by agreement.
| 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 via the Clifton lodge entrance from the A369 Abbots Leigh road, opposite the B3129 Bridge Road. To access the meadow, follow the path past the pine plantation until it reaches a gravel track. The meadow is within the hedged area.
Parking on Beggar Bush Lane
(B3129) is now prohibited. |
|
