Martin's Meadows

Martin's Meadows is a nature reserve in Suffolk containing three separate meadows filled with wild flowers and lined with ancient hedgerows and traditional orchards growing local fruit varieties. The site spans multiple hectares and hosts a diverse range of plant species within a connected landscape.

The meadows have retained their original state over centuries without facing modern agricultural practices like fertilizing, spraying, or drainage systems. This continued history of minimal human interference has allowed the location to preserve its natural plant diversity.

The reserve uses traditional farming methods including summer hay cutting and sheep grazing afterward to maintain the natural flower-rich meadow ecosystem.

Access to the reserve is through a five-bar gate on Rookery Road in Monewden, providing visitors with a straightforward entry point. The best time to visit is between March and June when most wildflowers are in full bloom.

The meadows host four different orchid species and meadow saffron flowering alongside century-old hedges containing field maple, hazel, hawthorn, and spindle trees. This botanical combination makes the reserve an unusual habitat for such a diverse collection of plant species.