In-Bye Fields

Hay meadow Simonside

Areas surrounding the farmsteads tend to be more fertile and have been enclosed by dry stone walls or, more rarely, fences. In some cases improvements through drainage, reseeding and fertilisers have produced ‘in-bye’ fields.

These fields are used for producing fodder crops in terms of hay or silage for feeding livestock through the winter. They are also used for holding livestock brought down from the surrounding rough grazing or moorland for dipping, shearing, tupping, lambing and sorting for sale.

These in-bye fields can also provide valuable feeding grounds for moorland birds in the spring and summer when they are feeding young. Some of the least improved hay meadows provide a wonderful display of colour in July. One of the best areas to visit to see these flower rich meadows is along the Upper Coquet River.