Matt Hamilton
Houghton Meadows
Location
Houghton
OS Map Reference
TL 293 717
Know before you go
Entry fee
NoParking information
Park in market square in Houghton and walk 0.5 miles to reserve along Thicket RoadGrazing animals
YesAccess
Not wheelchair or pushchair friendly
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all timesBest time to visit
springAbout the reserve
Houghton Meadows is made up of 5 fields, some are ancient hay meadows and some are pasture. The meadows are covered from spring to summer in a sea of flowers, from the yellow cowslips to the pink spears of orchids and purple of knapweed. Once the hay is cut in July the ridges and furrows left behind when the oxen ploughed fields of the middle ages are revealed. Surrounding the meadows are ancient hedgerows, currently undergoing rejuvenation using traditional methods. Almost hidden at the back of the reserve is a tiny brook, which joins the ox-bow of the Ouse towards Hemingford Grey. It is a refuge for an array of aquatic plants and domain of the distinctive hairy dragonfly. On its bank there are a series of venerable old gnarled and twisted willows which are home to green woodpecker and numerous insects.
Further information on the History of Houghton Meadows, by kind permission of Huntingdonshire Fauna and Flora Society, is available in the downloads box below.