1st July 2017 - Coronation Meadows
Walk Details
I decided to head to Slaidburn this morning to visit the Coronation Meadows at Bell Sykes Farm on National Meadows Day. Members of the public are allowed access on this day to the meadows managed by the farm. Last year I booked myself a place on a guided walk given by a member of staff of the Forest of Bowland AONB as I needed a bit of help with recognizing all the flowers and it was nice to get the history behind the meadows here and how important they are in restoring more of them to their former glory. This time I made my own way round them so that I could take as much or as little time as I wanted, especially with the weather being so nice I knew that I'd end up lingering in more than one particular spot to take a photo. Tea and cake was provided at the farm, which I took advantage of, and then lunch was had at the tearoom back in Slaidburn.
Slaidburn as I cross the bridge over the River Hodder
One of many common spotted orchids by the path towards Bell Sykes Farm
The information board as the first meadows are reached
There were plenty of wildflowers to see. Down there are Yellow Rattle, Buttercups, Red and White Clover, Eyebright, Self Heal, Autumn Hawkbit, Meadowsweet, Great Burnet and Tufted Vetch.
Meadowsweet
This photo will be on the cover of the Forest of Bowland AONB 2018 calendar
Great Burnet stands out in this one
Melancholy Thistle
Meadow Cranesbill
After coffee and cake at the farm I followed its access track out to the road back to Slaidburn. There are still plenty of wildflowers to see.