Chimney Meadows National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Chimney Meadows NNR, located in the floodplain of the River Thames, has a spectacular display of wildflowers during the summer and provides a safe haven for wading birds like the breeding curlew. Chimney Meadows is the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s largest nature reserve in Oxfordshire, where once heavily grazed pastures have now been converted to nationally important wetlands. In spring and summer these grasslands present an ever-changing display of wildflowers which attract busy communities of insects. In April and early May the cowslips are in flower, while in June and July, plants such as yellow rattle, common knapweed, oxeye daisy and pepper-saxifrage can be found. The hide overlooking the wetland area provides views of feeding cormorant, little egret and kingfisher, while at the smaller hide overlooking the northern pond you can see little grebe, jay and long-tailed tit. Chimney Meadows is one of the Trust’s best-loved wildflower meadows which have been named as Coronation Meadows.

Location

Chimney

About the area

Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and varied scenery, with Oxford’s elegant streets a highlight for visitors. The landscape encompasses open chalk downland, picturesque rivers and attractive villages, while northwest of Oxfordshire is home to the sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney that reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries.