Sutton Lane Meadows

If you look at the two maps, one from 1840 and one from 2020, you will see that hardly anything has changed here. The boundaries of the fields are still the same, the bridleways are still the same.

To use the National Trust’s words:

These delightful wildflower meadows are three enclosed fields of exceptionally species-rich, unimproved, neutral grassland, managed as traditional hay meadows, near Chippenham. Two are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the other is a designated County Wildlife Site. With its fantastic population of green-winged and southern marsh orchids, Sutton Lane Meadows is one of the best meadow sites in Wiltshire.

Depending on the time of year, you may want to stroll around and see each of the three meadows, in order to relax and enjoy the flowers and hopefully see some butterflies. If so, head right and go round in an anti-clockwise direction. You are starting in the south west corner of field No. 233 (see the 1840 map); walk around the boundary, into field No. 234; carry on in an anti-clockwise direction and enter field No. 235. Leave the meadows from the north west corner of field No. 235 and head north towards the village.

If the flowers are not in bloom, or if you just want to return to Sutton Benger, stay left and go around this first meadow (field No. 233) in a clockwise direction to the opposite corner. (Alternatively, if the path through the meadow is well-marked, you might be able to go diagonally across to the far corner). Leave the meadows and follow the marked path into the Big Field, past the entrance to field No. 235, heading north towards the village.

Can you help? Can you identify a Marsh Orchid and other meadow flowers?
Please get in touch if you can tell us what the flowers are in the photographs.

Contact: hello@bengertrails.co.uk

Note that you can find a longer walk to do next time at the link from:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/sutton-lane-meadows