Bradwell Meadows

Also within

Derbyshire County PEAK DISTRICT National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone, Millstone Grit, Shale

Description

Description Bradwell Meadows are located on the eastern outskirts of the village of Bradwell. The eastern flank of the Carboniferous Limestone massif lies to the west, with the shale grits of Abney Moor to the east. Bradwell Meadows lie between these two contrasting rock types, on the Millstone Grit series which is overlain here with fine loamy soils. These grasslands are among the very few remaining unimproved hay meadows in the Peak District. Throughout the site there is a complex pattern of grassland types which exhibit a considerable variation in species composition. The swards are classified as neutral grasslands although there are local influences which produce patches of a more calcareous nature, with species such as hoary plantain Plantago media. This may be due to the influence of imported limestone with which the drystone field boundaries are constructed. The most abundant grasses are crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne. The neutral grassland indicator species cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata and rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus are abundant together with a wide range of other herbs such as oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, black medick Medicago lupulina and meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulataa. The two fields that make up this site differ in supporting two distinct neutral grassland communities. The western most field is characterised by common knapweed Centaurea nigra and meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis. The easternmost field is characterised by meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis and great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, with additional species including the locally uncommon adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum and changing forget-me-not Myosotis discolor.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths and butterflies are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a hostplant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Hostplant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation (Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.