Merry's Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
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| Area of Search | Rutland |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 12.4 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Merry's Meadows is a special nature reserve in Rutland, England. It covers about 12.4 hectares, which is roughly the size of 20 football fields! This amazing place is located west of a village called Stretton.
The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust takes care of Merry's Meadows. It's also known as Greetham Meadows and is a very important "biological Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique plants and wildlife.
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What Makes Merry's Meadows Special?
Merry's Meadows is a type of land called a ridge and furrow meadow. This means the ground has wavy patterns, like small hills and valleys. These patterns were made a long time ago by old farming methods.
Unique Plants and Grasses
This meadow is the only place in Rutland where you can find the rare frog orchid. Imagine a tiny orchid that looks a bit like a frog!
The soil here is made of boulder clay. This type of soil helps many different grasses grow. You can find grasses like crested dog's-tail, sweet vernal-grass, upright brome, downy oat-grass, and quaking grass.
Ponds and Watery Homes
Besides the grassy areas, Merry's Meadows also has several ponds. These ponds are important homes for many small creatures and plants that need water to survive.
Visiting Merry's Meadows
If you want to visit Merry's Meadows, you can only get there by walking. There is a special footpath that is about 400 meters long.
How to Find the Path
The footpath starts from a longer walking route called the Viking Way. When you are on the path, you will walk along the left side of a hedge. After about 300 meters, the path crosses over to the right side of the hedge. Then, it's only about 100 meters more until you reach the entrance to the reserve.
