Barford Wood and Meadows

Barford Wood and Meadows. credit Wildlife Trust

Barford Wood and Meadows

A haven of tranquility and wildlife, once part of the former Rockingham Forest

Location

East of
Rushton
Northamptonshire
NN14 1BN
Kettering

OS Map Reference

SP 860 832
A static map of Barford Wood and Meadows

Know before you go

Size
36 hectares
z

Entry fee

No

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Flat overall, tarmac or firm grass paths. Part of reserve prone to flooding after heavy rain.

Access

Not suitable for wheelchairs

Dogs

On a lead
i

Facilities

Picnic area

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

May to July

About the reserve

Once part of Rockingham Forest – which until the late 1700s was a large expanse of woodland, parkland and small-scale farmland – this reserve contains habitats that include hay meadows, parkland and newly-planted woodland. 

The hay meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, rich with flowers of various colours in early summer. The blossoms lure many butterflies with their nectar: orange tip, small copper, dingy, grizzled and a variety of small and large skippers. The larvae of the day-flying chimney sweeper moth feed on the pignut that grows in the meadow alongside other flowers such as meadow saxifrage, common knapweed and great burnet.

Once the meadow has been cut for hay we graze it with sheep to limit the growth of grasses. The woodland area is divided between mixed plantings of young oak, ash and field maple and areas of coppice hazel with open glades between.  

Reserve map

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: 01604 405285

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Support our work

Did you enjoy your visit? From donating to volunteering, there are many different ways you can help us restore and protect local wildlife. We can't do this without you!

How you can help

Become a member

Help fight the rapid decline in wildlife across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire and enjoy some fabulous benefits. From only £3.50/month

Join us today