Wallingford Castle Meadows

Incredibly important wildlife habitats – deadwood piles provide homes and food for a range of invertebrates, which in turn, are a food source for woodpeckers, other birds and five species of bat.
The massive earthworks of the castle remains – capable of evoking an extraordinary sense of history.
Two floodplain meadows – a rare and threatened habitat in the Thames Valley. These meadows have lost a lot of their species richness and we are hoping that by reverting to traditional hay meadow management we can encourage some of the typical plants, insects, and birds to return.

The small pond which was the site of a Victorian grotto. In February the beautiful display of snowdrops heralds the first early signs of spring.
An expanding clump of snake’s head fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest native meadow flowers. Look out for the purple haze of its flowers between March and April.
William the Conqueror and his army crossed the Thames at Wallingford in 1066 and ordered the building of the castle. Over the next six centuries it dominated the Thames Valley, standing firm through two civil wars and several royal intrigues!
Earth Trust is encouraging water voles to make a home here, where conditions are ideal. Water voles are under threat nationally and need our help.