Barrow Meadow facts for kids

Barrow Meadow is a special place in northern Northumberland, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because it's a rare type of hay meadow. It has many different kinds of plants and flowers.

Where is Barrow Meadow?

Barrow Meadow is a field about 4.9 hectares big. That's roughly the size of seven football fields! It's located in the north-east of England. You can find it in the county of Northumberland. It's about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) west-south-west of a village called Alwinton.

A Special Spot

The meadow sits on flat land. It's nestled between two rivers. One is the River Coquet and the other is the Barrow Burn. These two rivers meet nearby. The meadow is about 150 meters (490 feet) above sea level. All around the meadow, you'll see hilly moorland.

Why is it Special?

Barrow Meadow is very important because it's "species-rich." This means it has many different types of plants. Most modern farms use special fertilisers. They also often reseed their fields with only a few types of grass. This makes Barrow Meadow quite rare. It shows what meadows used to be like. Other similar protected meadows in Northumberland include Aules Hill Meadows and Barrow Burn Meadows.

What Plants Grow There?

Barrow Meadow is a "northern hay meadow." This means it's full of different grasses and lots of beautiful herbs. These plants make the meadow a vibrant place.

Grasses You Might See

Some of the grasses found here are sweet vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). There's also crested dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus). You can also spot red fescue (Festuca rubra) and quaking grass (Briza media).

Colourful Flowers and Herbs

The meadow is also home to many colourful flowers, called forbs. These include pignut (Conopodium majus), which has small white flowers. You might also see eyebright (Euphrasia agg.). Meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) adds a splash of yellow. Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) has purple, thistle-like flowers. Several types of lady’s mantle also grow here. These include Alchemilla glabra, A. xanthochlora, and A. filicaulis.

More Interesting Plants

Other plants that grow in Barrow Meadow include wood crane’s-bill (Geranium sylvaticum). Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) has creamy-white flowers. You might find changing forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor) and fairy flax (Linum catharticum). Field wood-rush (Luzula campestris) and betony (Stachys officinalis) are also present. The beautiful northern marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) also thrives here.

Legumes in the Meadow

The meadow also has many legumes. These are plants that help put nutrients back into the soil. They include bitter vetch (Lathyrus montanus). You can also find lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium). Red clover (T. pratense) and white clover (T. repens) are common. Both common and greater bird’s-foot trefoils (Lotus corniculatus and L. uliginosus) also grow here.

Meadow Condition

In 2012, experts checked Barrow Meadow. They said its condition was "favourable." This means the meadow is healthy and well-managed. It continues to be a great home for its many special plants.