Barbadoes Hill Meadows

Also within

Gwent County WYE VALLEY (Wales) Scenic Area

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Sandstone

Description

Description Barbadoes Hill Meadows is of special interest for its species-rich neutral grassland. The site is situated immediately north of Tintern Parva village, 7 km north of Chepstow, on the western side of the Wye Valley. Barbadoes Hill Meadows comprises four steeply-sloping fields, with a predominantly north-easterly aspect, at an altitude of between 110 and 160 m. The underlying geology is Tintern Sandstone (Upper Old Red Sandstone) and the soils are coarse loamy typical brown earths. The species rich neutral grassland is characterised by a high herb cover, including frequent common bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus and eyebright Euphrasia sp. In addition, red clover Trifolium pratense, autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis and meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris are scattered throughout. A particularly noticeable feature of the meadows is the widespread abundance of devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis throughout all four fields. Typically, the most frequent grasses are red fescue Festuca rubra, sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and common bent grass Agrostis capillaris. The neutral grassland in the most eastern field displays a variation of this community, with species including frequent tormentil Potentilla erecta and occasional pignut Conopodium majus. The site also supports a population of the greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha, an uncommon and declining grassland plant. Remarks: This site lies within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Species mentioned