Reserves

Bathampton Meadow

Grid ref: 775 669 / Area: 9.26 hectares

Created to provide additional flood relief for the new A46 Bathampton by-pass, these wet meadows and the ox-bow lake have proved particularly attractive to a number of migrant birds

How to get there
Details to permit holders.

We encourage visitors to use environmentally friendly forms of transport wherever possible. Most of our reserves are easily accessible by bicycle, with many close to the National Cycle Network. Click here to view a location map of the reserve on the National Cycle Network website.

Access
By permit only - permits available to Trust members, please contact the Trust for details.

Wildlife and conservation
The site was created to alleviate loss of flood capacity caused by construction of the Batheaston Bypass. A long 'oxbow' type lake and series of shallow 'scrapes' and pools were created. Other areas were sown with wildflower seed mixtures and are developing into flower-rich grassland. The site has already proved good for migrant water birds with waders such as dunlin, ringed and little ringed plover, and green and common sandpiper attracted to the muddy margins in spring and autumn. Sand martin and kingfisher have been seen regularly by the oxbow, and other migrants have included yellow wagtail, whinchat and hobby. A telescope is useful, as the only viewing is from the edge of the site to avoid disturbing the birds.