This year our private meadows open to visitors are in the far north of the county, and just over the border, in the Black Mountains. There are three stunning locations, but they all have limited parking and single track access so we are having to limit numbers and operate a booking system. You can book one or two of the sites, but it won’t be possible to visit all three that day.

• The three Open Meadow locations
• Points to note
• Booking form
• Directions

Our Open Meadow Locations

Box Bush Farm at Capel-y-ffin in the Vale of Ewyas (the Llanthony Valley), where our host is Harry Marshall. As you can imagine the views here are incredible. This is a 38 acre former hill farm, mostly unimproved grassland, species-rich and now managed for conservation. Box Bush Meadow, and 8 acre field designated an SSSI, borders the stream, the Nant Bwch – a tributary of the Afon Honddu. Species recorded on the site include rare Wood Cranesbill as well as Betony, Bitter-vetch, Rough Hawkbit, Knapweed and Devil’s-bit Scabious, with Common Spotted-orchids, Tormentil, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Pignut in the more open areas.

Nant-y-Bedd in the Grwyne Fawr valley north of Fforest Coalpit. You may already know of these gardens, as the hosts Sue and Ian Mabberley open to the public regularly. If you haven’t been before this is a great opportunity to see this fabulous 10 acre garden, managed organically, including the wildflower meadow, woodland pasture, stream and ponds. Nestled deep in the forested valley, surrounded by nature and the sounds of woodland and flowing water, the garden was selected as one of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Partner Gardens  in Wales in 2019. The extensive list of meadow plants has recently been augmented with sights of Sneezewort, Devil’s Bit Scabious and Lady’s Bedstraw.

Ty Major on the slopes of Bryn Arw, near Fforest Coalpit, is the home of Sheelagh Kerry and Peter Smith, both professional ecologists who manage their land for its wildlife and who will be happy to pass on their knowledge. We have featured their wonderful meadows before, set in a spectacular location with views of the Sugar Loaf, and it is well worth a re-visit. There is an abundance of plants typical of grazed unimproved grassland, such as Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Knapweed, Common Spotted and Southern Marsh Orchids, Yellow Rattle and Common Catsear, as well as Tormentil, Pignut, Betony, Bitter Vetch and various sedges. On the dry bank there is Fairy Flax and damper areas have Rushes, Lesser Spearwort & Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil.

Not all these species will be flowering in June, of course, but each has a rich variety of meadow species, and as well as the guided plant identification walks, there will be a chance to wander further, or to sit with a cup of tea taking in the views.

Points to note

• In the morning the sites are open from 10am to 12.30pm with a guided walk starting at 10.30am.

• In the afternoon the sites are open are from 1.30pm to 4.30pm with a guided walk starting at 2.30pm

• There is little or no mobile phone signal at these locations – be prepared!

• Well behaved dogs on leads are permitted at Box Bush Farm and Ty Major, but because of other animals on site please leave dogs in the car at Nant-y-Bedd

• Refreshments will be available at each location but if making a day of it, bring lunch or book early at one of the local pubs

• Please remember Meadow Etiquette – keep to the paths or edges of field to avoid trampling on the flowers and grasses

• Wear appropriate clothing! Especially footwear as the fields can be uneven and muddy in wet weather

Booking Form

With apologies, if you request a copy of your responses (at the bottom of the form) Google insists on using a Captcha when you click Submit, to prove you are not a robot. This may appear above the form so you may have to scroll up. Any problems, please contact Marilyn (you can use Contact Us)

Directions

Please only use these if you have booked a place.

Post codes are given for general guidance but should not be used to pinpoint the location as they cover wide areas.

Box Bush Farm, NP7 7NP – head north up the Llanthony Valley, past Llanthony to Capel-y-ffin. As you reach Capel-y-ffin village sign there is a small layby on the right, and a road to the left leading to the monastery and the pony trekking centre. Take this left road for 0.6 mile to Box Bush Farm. Parking will be signed on the left through the second farm gate at what3words.com/saints.vacancies.tricks

Nant-y-Bedd, NP7 7LY – there are detailed directions on their web site but don’t forget to refer to the paragraph above the map if travelling from Box Bush Farm. From Ty Major it is easier – just turn right out of the track from Ty Major and keep going up the valley towards Grwyne Fawr Reservoir. Parking is in front of their land, on the right, at what3words.com/library.skies.model

Ty Major, NP7 7LH – this is on a turning off the road between Pantygelli and Fforest Coalpit. Coming from Abergavenny on the Old Hereford Road you pass The Crown Inn and after a few metres turn left just before Bailey’s Garage, signed to Bettws. Continue for 1 mile to the village of Bettws, through the village and after another mile there is a turning on the right, signed to Upper Bettws Farm. Turn right down this narrow lane, past/between 2 houses. Continue straight up the drive, over a cattle grid and Ty Major is at the top. The turning off the road is at what3words.com/ketchup.essential.hang and parking at what3words.com/marmalade.rational.fatherly

Travelling Between Sites

Although close as the crow flies, allow 45 minutes to drive between Box Bush Farm and Nant-y-Bedd. Ty Major and Nant-y-Bedd are 15-20 minutes apart. There are various pubs in the area but you will have to book in advance for lunch.

NOTE if you use Sat Nav or Google to plot a route between Box Bush Farm and the other sites, it may take you as far south as Pantygelli, but there is a much shorter route as shown on the map below. To find this ‘short cut’:

• Travelling from Box Bush: about 1/3 mile south of the Queen’s Head, take the right turn signed to Forest Coal Pit/Partrishow/Llanbedr (SO 31137 21671 What3Words ///expressed.save.driving):
  After 1.8 miles this road meets a 5-way junction (see diagram below map)
  for Nant-y-Bedd bear right to keep to the main road (if this was a roundabout it would be the 3rd exit) following the sign to Grwyn Fawr Reservoir;
  for Ty Major turn left down the first road (a single track lane) and drive for 1 mile until you reach the left turn signed Upper Bettws Farm.

• Travelling from Nant-y-Bedd (travelling south) or Ty Major (turning right from the track to go north) to Box Bush: when you reach the 5-way junction (see diagram below map) take the road signed to Cwmyoy/Llanthony/Capel-y-ffin.
  After 1.8 miles this reaches a T junction – turn left towards Llanthony/Capel-y-ffin/Hay on Wye to go up the valley to Box Bush Farm.