Seven Fields

LNR Type: Urban fringe

County: Wiltshire

English Nature Local Team: Wiltshire team.

Year of Declaration: 1995

Declaring Authority: Swindon Borough Council

Area: (Ha): 23

Seven Fields has established itself as an important urban Local Nature Reserve offering people an oasis of calm and a place for informal recreation amongst the housing that encloses it.

The site is a fantastic example of neutral meadow grassland which is now a rare habitat within Britain. This is because whilst the majority of agricultural land has been intensively farmed with artificial fertilizers Seven Fields has not had this treatment and is still traditionally managed. The nutrient poor soil therefore supports a magnificent array of wild flowers and grasses during the summer months for visitors to appreciate. Amongst the more noted species are the green, bee and pyramidal orchids.

The wonderful plant diversity in turn supports a wide variety of associated species which take advantage of the food on offer. Butterflies and moths can be seen on site whilst grasshoppers and other insects can be heard amongst the flowers and grasses.

There are a number of interesting features for the visitor to explore and the reserve can boost to having a rare Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis) which is becoming a rare native species in this country.

As its name suggests Seven Fields consists of seven meadow fields but the reserve has a number of other noted habitats for the visitor to enjoy. Penhill Copse is the main wooded area but there are a number of spinneys situated around the site and the hedgerows, some of which are classed as ancient, all offer food and shelter for the diverse animal population. Haydon Brook cuts through the reserve and offers a different type of habitat for species to utilize.

The Local Nature Reserve has a number cycle tracks that run through the site and hard standing paths around it allow easy access.  There are also a number of mown paths through the meadows which allow the visitor to have access right into the heart of the meadows whilst at the same time protecting the site from unnecessary trampling.

We hope that you enjoy your visit to this fantastic site and ask in the interest of safety for yourself and the wildlife that you abide by the country code.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in helping to preserve this and other sites please click onto the following links