New Marston Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 44.7 hectares (110 acres) |
| Notification | 1993 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
New Marston Meadows is a special natural area in Oxford, Oxfordshire. It covers about 44.7 hectares, which is roughly the size of 60 football fields! This area is protected because it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's really important for its plants and wildlife.
What Makes New Marston Meadows Special?
New Marston Meadows is a unique place. It sits on the floodplain of the River Cherwell. A floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river that sometimes gets flooded. This flooding helps the soil stay rich and wet, which is perfect for certain plants.
A Home for Rare Plants
The meadows here are managed in a traditional way. This means they are cut for hay or animals graze on them. This old-fashioned farming helps many special plants to grow. Some of these plants are typical of very old meadows. These include:
- common meadow-rue
- pepper-saxifrage
- devil's-bit scabious
- adder's-tongue fern
- smooth brome
- meadow barley
One of the most exciting finds at New Marston Meadows is the Snake's head fritillary. This beautiful flower is "nationally scarce." This means it's very rare to find it growing wild in the United Kingdom. Its bell-shaped flowers often have a checkerboard pattern.
How the Meadows are Cared For
The way New Marston Meadows is looked after is very important. Cutting hay or letting animals graze keeps the grass from growing too tall. This allows smaller, more delicate plants to get enough sunlight. It also stops stronger plants from taking over. This traditional care helps keep the meadows healthy and full of diverse life.
