Wildflowers and meadows in the South East
If you head out on a warm, dry day to a remote meadow where sweeping grasses are speckled with wild flowers, why not take a moment to just sit.
Listen to the quiet that’s not quiet at all. You'll find the air literally humming with life. Instead of batting away the pollinators, let them come. The worst they’ll do is tickle your skin.
Hear the bird call, the cricket chirp and the gentle white whoosh of the world happening somewhere else in the background. When you open your eyes, watch the clouds drift and the grasses swish in and out of your vision. It’s an ordinary, but extraordinary pleasure and privilege to rest in a wildflower meadow on a summer's day.
Walks at Uppark
It's the perfect time to enjoy a walk through Uppark's gardens and woodlands.
Wildflowers at Stowe
Find out how we care for our meadows at Stowe through the some. Discover what to look out for and download 'A mindful meadow meander' walk map as you take a route to relaxation and get closer to nature.
Walking at Uppark
Discover one of our beautiful walks this autumn and experience the Sussex countryside and glorious South Downs. Nature is all around with wondrous woodlands, interesting flora and fauna as well as an abundance of wildlife.
How to create your own wildflower meadow
The flower meadow in The Vyne's walled garden wows visitors with its beauty and provides a pollinator haven for wildlife. Senior Gardener Chris Wilson tells us why he’s done it and how to create one in your own garden, even in the smallest of outdoor spaces.
Wildflower meadows at Bodiam Castle
We're about to start on a long term project, working with the existing grassland areas at Bodiam Castle, to create lowland grassland and wildflower meadows. Encouraging nature and wildflowers back to the castle grounds.
Looking after Newtown's meadows
We carefully look after Newtown's meadows so that they are filled with delicate wildflowers in summer which support colourful butterflies and important insects.
Meadow restoration at Chartwell
We're currently in the middle of a long-term project to restore a meadow down in the apple orchard and in front of the studio at Chartwell, encouraging wildflowers and nature back to our gardens.
Why invite insects into your garden?
Creating a wildflower meadow is a great way to attract more pollinators to your garden. But why would you want more insects when we spend most of the summer trying to rid the house of them?
Why Waddesdon's not mowing
You may have noticed that some areas of grass around the grounds have been left to grow significantly longer than normal. This is part of our strategy to increase wildlife diversity in the garden.
Discover Chalk Grassland in the Chilterns Countryside
Up to 40 species of flowering plants can be found in one square metre of chalk grassland, and many species are unique to the habitat, including orchids, gentians, wild candytuft and other wildflowers. In turn, the variety of wildflowers attracts many species of insect, including rare butterflies such as the Adonis Blue and the Duke of Burgundy.
Sneezewort on Outwood Common
The rare meadow flower sneezewort has been seen in abundance on Outwood Common.
Spotting hares at Uppark
On quiet early mornings in Uppark you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a native brown hare. The permanent grassland and woodland edges here provide the perfect habitat, and in spring they're at their liveliest, as courtship begins.
Hay from Ham House helps its historic neighbour
Ham House is helping its historic River Thames neighbour with a special delivery of hay, as part of English Heritage’s Marble Hill Revived programme.
Explore the outdoors at Standen House and Garden
Explore the woodlands at Standen and follow our self-guided walking trails. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Summer in the garden at Bateman's
There's an explosion of colour and scent in the summer garden and an abundance of wildflowers to enjoy in the hay meadows. Take a wander and feel the space as Kipling would have known it.
Shire Horses take Ham House Meadow back in time
Operation Centaur’s magnificent shire horses and their handlers will be bringing history to life at Ham House this month, when they come to mow our unique flower meadow on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd July.
How heritage cattle help meadow conservation
The cows of Petersham Meadows have now moved away to their winter pastures. This small herd of Belted Galloway cattle are provided by Surrey Wildlife Trust and do wonderful work managing the biodiversity in the area.
Fun for families at Emmetts Garden
Bring the whole family along for a day out at Emmetts Garden. Let your imagination run free in our wild play area, complete with tepee, or play some of our traditional garden games in the meadow. With fun family trails in the school holidays, and outdoor theatre in the summer, there's plenty of activities to keep the kids busy.