Willoughby Meadow
Parish: Willoughby-with-Sloothby
OS: 122 • GR: TF 472713 • Map ref: 60
2.66 hectares (6.57acres) • Freehold 1976 | Freehold 2001
Habitat type:
Location and Access
The reserve is situated 0.5 km (0.3 miles) south of Willoughby: from the B1196 road turn off for Sloothby at the crossroads down Mill Lane, and the reserve is less than 100m on the right. The small SSSI meadow is vulnerable to trampling, especially before hay time, visitors are requested to avoid damaging the crop.
(A location plan with adjoining reserves is found on the Claxby Spring map)
Description and Management
The small SSSI meadow on the Middle Marsh Boulder Clay is one of the finest remaining examples of its type. There is a rich assemblage of meadow plants, including cowslip, great burnet, pepper-saxifrage, adder's-tongue, devil's-bit scabious, saw-wort, betony and green-winged orchid. Bugle and lady's mantle, more usually associated with woodland rides, also occur. No less than 149 species of flowering plants have been recorded. There are good boundary hedges and old hedgerow trees attractive to whitethroat and lesser whitethroat.
The adjoining pasture acts as a buffer to the SSSI. It is grazed during the summer. The cattle are also used to graze the SSSI meadow after the hay has been cut.
