Now is the best time of year to explore the area’s wildflower grasslands; a special habitat which is rare locally and even rarer nationally. As meadows are very fragile there are not many places in the High Weald where they can be viewed by the public. However the area’s small fields and lanes have many hard-to-reach corners where wildflower grassland species still flourish and you are likely to see an array of flowers and grasses on any walk in the area.
National Meadows Day takes place every year on the first Saturday of July and is a chance to visit meadows when wildflowers are at their peak. Guided walks and family activities are being held on Saturday 2 July 2016 at the following locations:
- Scotney Castle, near Lamberhurst - Hay Meadow Walk
- Tudley Woods, near Pembury - Brakeybank Wildflower Meadow Day
- Sheffield Park, near Haywards Heath - BioBlitz
- Wakehurst Place, near Ardingly - Wild Food Festival
- Sissinghurst Castle, near Cranbrook - Celebration of Meadow
In the run up to the day many schools have counted plant species in meadows near them as part of the Big Wildflower Count led by the High Weald's Education Officer.
Like to know more? The following may be of interest.
Videos on identifying, managing, enhancing and creating a wildflower meadow
Information sheets on managing, enhancing and creating a wildflower grassland
Specialist advice on wildflower grassland
High Weald butterfly spotter sheets