Sharnbrook Summit and Wymington Meadow

Sharnbrook Summit credit. Wildlife Trust

Sharnbrook Summit and Wymington Meadow

Two grassland reserves located near a rail tunnel

Location

3/4 mile south of Wymington
Rushden
Bedfordshire
Rushden

OS Map Reference

SP 971 623
A static map of Sharnbrook Summit and Wymington Meadow

Know before you go

Size
10 hectares
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Park on roadside in South Grove or on side of lane at turning towards Blackmere Farm

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Rough grass paths. No pedestrian access between the two reserves

Access

Yes

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to September

About the reserve

Sharnbrook Summit is situated on top of a mile long rail tunnel that runs alongside the main Bedford - Wellingborough line. Occasionally, trains still use the tunnel and can be felt rumbling underfoot and heard echoing up the ventilation towers, which are dotted along the reserve. The grassland has developed on the limestone soils excavated during construction of the railway and where rabbits graze the turf short there are still remnants of a richer flora from days gone by.

The delicate white flowers of dropwort, with the yellows of dyer's greenweed and wild liquorice emerge above the dominant tor-grass. The nationally rare grey mouse-ear retains a foothold on the slopes of the railway embankment. Scattered blocks of scrub increase the interest of the site by providing fruit, nuts and seeds, and shelter for small mammals and nesting birds. Birds of prey are often seen hunting along the Summit, including the kestrel and the buzzard soaring high on broad wings.

Wymington Meadow is a triangular area of land, between the main and branch lines of the railway. It is an area of flower-rich pasture, much of which has disappeared nationally, due to modern farming practices. The meadow was cut off when the railways were constructed in the 1850s and traces of the old ridge and furrow ploughing can still be seen towards its northern end. There is a small stream flowing through the reserve where plants such as wild angelica, rushes and the small blue flowers of brooklime appear along with water mint. The meadow itself supports a wealth of wild flowers including cowslip, salad burnet, quaking-grass, adder's-tongue fern and the distinctive flower spikes of green-winged orchids.

The mature hedgerows that border the site on two sides provides shelter for wildlife, almost containing the meadow in a time warp, where wild flowers and butterflies can flourish, isolated from the ravages of the modern world.   

Additional information

  • Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.

Contact us

Contact number: 01234 364213

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Location map

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

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