Hannah's Meadow

Hannah’s Meadow Nature Reserve

Hannah's Meadow

Two species-rich unimproved upland hay meadows and a grazing pasture in a traditional farming landscape

Location

Hannah’s Meadow Nature Reserve
Hunderthwaite
DL12 9UX
A static map of Hannah's Meadow

Know before you go

Size
9 hectares

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Access

Terrain: Easy
Mixed terrain with pathways and boardwalks to barn and an information panel. Not suitable for mobility scooters but raised walkways can accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Access and Parking
From Barnard Castle follow the B6277 to Romaldkirk and then follow the Balderhead road via Hunderthwaite. Parking is available at the Balderhead reservoir car park which is approximately 250m east of entrance to the reserve - use what3words: ///supplied.carriage.bulk

From this location you can enjoy a way-marked trail covering approximately 1.5 miles. There is limited parking on the roadside before you reach Balderhead reservoir at the entrance to the reserve (please be considerate if parking in this location). The Pennine Way footpath runs through the reserve. Follow the footpath south from the roadside entrance.

Public Transport
Not readily accessible by public transport. Private transport is recommended.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

June to July

About the reserve

This upland hay meadow and a grazing pasture are set within the traditional farming landscape of Baldersdale, part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The site has evolved as a result of farming practices over several centuries. Once owned and farmed by Hannah Hauxwell, who lived alone at Low Birk Hatt Farm without the luxury of electricity and running water, the land was managed for hay and pasture and maintains the rich variety of wildlife that has been lost from many other Teesdale meadows. On her retirement in 1988, Durham Wildlife Trust continued the traditional management and created the reserve as it is today.

Now a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the meadows are considered to be some of the least improved and most species rich in upland Durham. Visit in June and early July (note – meadow is cut in mid July) to see traditional hay meadow flowers, such as ragged robin, wood crane’s-bill, marsh-marigold, yellow-rattle, adders-tongue fern and globe-flower plus rare species such as frog orchid and moonwort.

Hannah's Meadow is recognised as a Coronation Meadow. The Wildlife Trusts are proud to have been a part of Coronation Meadows – an inspirational idea to mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation in 2013 which was spearheaded by our patron, King Charles III, when he was known as The Prince of Wales.  

Coronation Meadows represent the best of traditional wildflowers from areas of upland hay meadows. Green hay from Hannah’s Meadow was donated to help restore another traditional hay meadow in Stanhope in Weardale.

Enjoy the sounds of lapwing, skylark, redshank, curlew and meadow pipit, making their home in the rushes and sedges of the pasture.

Contact us

Durham Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 0191 584 3112
Contact email: mail@durhamwt.co.uk

Environmental designation

Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve is an upland hay meadow in Teesdale and part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, once owned by Hannah Hauxwell and now owned and managed by Durham Wildlife Trust.

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