22 June 2009
Barrowburn haymeadows flowering now!
Barrowburn Hay Meadow Northumberland National Park © Shaun HacketThe ancient haymeadows of Northumberland National Park are in glorious full bloom now. Meadows with hundreds of flowers can be enjoyed in the Upper Coquet Valley, in the North Tyne Valley and at Greenlee Lough National Nature Reserve north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Upland hay meadows are internationally rare and Northumberland National Park has some of the best in Europe.
At Barrowburn Farm, where the farmer manages his grazing land in such a way as to encourage these lovely reminders of a slower way of life, the haymeadows include lavender-blue wood cranesbill and the white umbels of pignut among many other species of flower, grass and moss. The intense variety – commonly over 25 species per square metre in the National Park, creates an ideal habitat for hundreds of insects, bees and butterflies that nourish a wide range of birds such as meadow pipits and skylarks, swallows and martins, wheatears and the rare ring ouzel.
Barrowburn is the one of the prettiest locations in the Cheviot Hills, with the musical Coquet still a clear mountain stream as it runs past the farmhouse door. Here, with only the sounds of nature for company, is a delightful farmhouse tea room serving homemade cakes and local ice cream. The farm also offers accommodation with a holiday cottage and a camping barn.
To get to Barrowburn, take the B6341 from Rothbury for about 4 miles, then turn right (signed Harbottle). Follow the road up the Coquet Valley passing through Alwinton. Continue 6 miles on to Wedder Leap car park between Bygate and Barrowburn Farms where you can park (O.S Grid Ref: NT 866 103) for a short walk to the tea room.
Media contacts:
Frances Whitehead, Communications Officer
Northumberland National Park Authority
Tel: 01434 611542
frances.whitehead@nnpa.org.uk
Farmer Ian Tait,
Barrowburn
Harbottle, Morpeth,
Northumberland.
NE65 7BP.
Tel: +44 (0)1669 621176
