Merriman's Hill Farm Meadows

Also within

Warwickshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Area, 2.9 ha. 7.1 ac. Description Merriman’s Hill Farm is situated to the northwest of Henley in Arden. The site consists of two species rich neutral meadows on non calcareous clays overlying mudstones of the Keuper marl. An ancient earthwork called Hob Ditch cuts across both fields. Its presence has discouraged cultivation. This lack of cultivation and richness of the meadow flora indicates the site has long remained undisturbed. Such old meadow sites are becoming increasingly scarce in Warwickshire. The grassland community is characterised by crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and abundant lady’s bedstraw Galium verum. Other characteristic species present include cowslip Primula veris, betony Betonica officinalis, sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, hoary plantain Plantago media and pignut Conopodium majus. Also found within the sward are pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus, saw wort Serratula tinctoria, adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum and great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis all of which are scarce in the county. Surrounding the meadows are hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and blackthorn Prunus spinosa hedges containing a range of woody species including holly Ilex aquifolium, gorse Ulex europaeus, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and more important, small leaved lime Tilia cordata – an uncommon plant in the county.

Species mentioned