This reserve has been created from a capped landfill site. It shows how brownfield sites can provide valuable wildlife habitats.

Notable plants

  • Pennyroyal
  • Small-leaved Lime

Features

The grassland on the stony soil of this capped landfill has largely developed naturally, supplemented with some seeding of appropriate species.

It has been carefully managed by our Warwickshire Branch volunteers. Special habitat creation measures such as stony banks have been employed and are helping to boost the Grizzled and Dingy Skipper populations. New hedges of Blackthorn are assisting the Brown Hairstreak.

The reserve includes the nearby margin of Ryton Wood, where coppice and ride management provide habitat for the woodland species. Pennyroyal, a nationally rare plant, is well suited to the disturbed ground conditions present on the site. The Small-leaved Lime is an indicator of Ryton Wood’s Ancient status.

The reserve is part of a landscape conservation initiative focussing on habitat restoration for threatened butterflies in the Princethorpe woodlands area.

The reserve is leased from Tarmac Ltd, who also support its management.

Area: 12.4 hectares

Directions

The reserve lies on the southern side of the A445 between Bubbenhall and Ryton-on-Dunsmore just south of Coventry. It is bordered to the west by Ryton Pool Country Park - where ample parking is available - and to the south and east by Ryton Wood.

Map Reference: SP 378728 Ordnance Survey Map: 140    Postcode: CV8 3EL

Notable nearby sites

Ryton Wood (Warwickshire Wildlife Trust reserve), Ryton Pools Country Park

Public transport

The 538 bus service (Monday to Saturday) between Leamington Spa and Coventry runs along the A445 past the Ryton Pool Country Park entrance.

Site access and safety

Most entrances involve stiles or small footbridges, and these may be difficult for visitors with limited mobility. The main gated entrance can be unlocked for events such as guided walks.

The paths around the reserve are generally firm, level and clear to follow, but not many are significant in size and can be hidden when the vegetation is tall. Care is needed because of the tripping hazards of surface debris. The Country Park has many paths suited to wheelchairs and many facilities including powered scooters for loan.

Ryton Wood Meadows has no public access and is only accessible to Butterfly Conservation members by coded locks on the three access gates. Members of the Warwickshire branch automatically receive this code on joining. Non- Warwickshire members can obtain the code through the Warwickshire Reserves Manager by forwarding their Butterfly Conservation details to the email below. Please allow seven days for the request to be processed. When livestock are grazing the meadows, access is further restricted. Access to the reserve is on a Permissive basis - there are no Public Rights of Way or designated Open Access areas.  Dogs are not allowed on the reserve because of ground-nesting birds and grazing animals.

Most ticks are little more than an irritation, but a few can transmit Lyme disease, a rare and potentially serious illness which is treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early. It is therefore important to be informed and take some simple precautions

Contact

Mike Slater, Warwickshire Branch, Tel: 01788 335 881