Portholme, Nature conservation site in Huntingdon, England
Portholme is a 106-hectare nature conservation site between Huntingdon and Godmanchester with rich grasslands that flood in winter and early spring. Watercourses run through the land, supporting diverse aquatic life.
Samuel Pepys visited the land in May 1668 and documented his observations about weather conditions and the water-covered ground at that time. This early written record shows its long history as a natural landscape.
The meadow follows traditional Lammas management, where grass cutting happens during specific seasons followed by controlled livestock grazing. This practice shapes how the land looks and is used today.
The site can be reached via Mill Common in Huntingdon or by walking the Ouse Valley Way from Godmanchester Chinese Bridge. Spring through autumn offers the best visiting conditions, as the ground floods during winter months.
The watercourses support Libellula fulva, a dragonfly species restricted to just a few places in Britain. This presence makes the land especially valuable for wildlife watchers and insect observers.
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