In the face of the catastrophic loss of 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the plan was to create new and restored meadows using donor seed from remaining fragments of ancient and traditional meadows.

The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife – charities for whom the former Prince of Wales was patron – worked together to identify 60 species-rich meadows which are known as Coronation Meadows, one for every year of the Queen’s reign at that time. These special places became donors to provide precious seed to increase the amount of valuable and beautiful wildflower habitat elsewhere.

The charities have done an audit of the success of the project which reveals that a fantastic 101 new wildflower meadows have been created or restored since the Coronation Meadows project began a decade ago.

The charities are delighted that the Coronation Meadows project has increased the number of wildflower meadows and benefitted a vast array of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to bats and birds. The area is still expanding as the charities continue to harvest and spread the wildflower seed in localities close to the original sites so that the distinctive character of each area’s flora is preserved.

Biffa Award, through the Landfill Communities Fund, contributed £1million to fund the equipment and training needed for meadow restorations. In the first three years of the project alone, more than 700 volunteers gave their time to get the project off the ground. Seed was harvested from Coronation Meadows donor sites either as green hay, brush harvested seed or by hand, and this was used to seed second sites in the same area.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“The expansion of our beautiful wildflower meadows is a wonderful legacy for communities everywhere to enjoy. The magnificent sight of wild orchids shimmering in a field of delicate wild grasses in the afternoon sun to the hum of bees is something that everyone deserves to experience and enjoy.

“As the nature and climate crises deepen, we must be bold if we want to reverse declines and help revive our meadow heritage. Ancient meadows have evolved alongside traditional farming methods over hundreds of years. Many of these have been selected as Local Wildlife Sites because of the rare and threatened plants that are found there but they have limited protection in planning policy. The next review of the National Planning Policy Framework later this year must see their protection strengthened. We also need to see greater support for wildflower meadows in the new farm environment schemes – it is critical that farmers are rewarded for restoring locally distinctive natural habitats where wild plants can thrive.”

Ian Dunn, CEO, Plantlife, says:

“If you can, this Coronation year, make the opportunity to sit within an area of meadow or uncut grass. Look around at the colours and variety of plants. Then close your eyes and sense your surroundings through sound and smell. You’ll be amazed, reconnected with nature and feel just fantastic!

We know healthy habitats such as meadows form the foundations of all successful conservation, as well as being at the roots of a healthy society and in addressing the climate challenges we face. At Plantlife we aspire to create a combined area equal to 20,000 new football fields of meadows before the end of this decade to give everyone the chance of experiencing the beauty and wildlife-rich meadows that were once commonplace. The exquisite Coronation meadows started 10 years ago give us confidence we can do so”.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has been able to create and restore meadows on two reserves using donor wildflower seed and green hay from the land at Hayton Meadow (Shropshire Coronation Meadow).

Whitcliffe Common, Ludlow, Shropshire

The meadow at Whitcliffe was created in 2013, from an earlier initiative from which the Coronation Meadows expanded from. This first project in 2013 encouraged Plantlife and the Trust to go for further creation projects. The site is c1.8 hectares and was the remnant of a much larger medieval common. The area was cut and harrowed before receiving the green hay by tractor and hand strewn by volunteers. Species such as birds-foot trefoil, common knapweed and common spotted orchid are established here. Whitcliffe Common is a recreation area enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Whitcliffe Common, Shropshire Wildlife Trust

Tramway Meadow, Lightmoor Nature Reserve, Telford, Shropshire

Lightmoor lies on the fringes of urban Telford, surrounded by the thriving village communities. Steeped in history of 18^th century mines long gone there are patches of countryside which escaped the industrial revolution around them. In summer 2016 it was cut and power harrowed then the green hay was strewed by a team of volunteers, and is now grazed by a mixture of rescue donkey’s and horses. Bluebells, yellow archangel and white flowered greater stitchwort are refugees of a former forest, and gooseberry, privet and sweet smelling lilac have spread from cottage gardens, up into the tangled woodlands of oak and birch. Great crested newts, toads and frogs live in the ponds and hoof prints of deer are found on the muddy margins of puddles. Badger tracks criss-cross the woodland and the song of chiffchaff, blackbird and robin resound from the old hedgerows. Much community activity takes place at Lightmoor; this has included tree planting, barn owl box installation, wildlife surveys and outdoor play sessions for children. Lightmoor, Shropshire Wildlife Trust

Other examples throughout The Wildlife Trust’s movement nearby:

Eycott Hill, Cumbria. An extinct volcano, this special upland is cared for by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and has wetlands, moorland and restored meadows which were enhanced with seed from the wonderful Coronation Meadow, Piper Hole. Autumn hawkbit, melancholy thistle and eyebright bloom in this awe-inspiring spot which is increasing in flora every year. Eycott Hill

Gwynedd road verges, Wales. The stunning flower-rich mosaic of small fields at the magical Caeau Tan y Bwlch Nature Reserve, is cared for by North Wales Wildlife Trust and owned by Plantlife. In 2022 roadside verges near the 2023 Eisteddfod site in Boduan were recipients of its green hay and will welcome visitors with colourful flowers, buzzing with life. Seed from Caeau Tan y Bwlch has also been spread along the main road outside Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve in Penrhyndeudraeth. Caeau Tan y Bwlch Nature Reserve here and here; Gwaith Powdwr

Hurstans, Sollers Hope, Herefordshire. Seed from Joans Hill Coronation Meadow, a Plantlife nature reserve, was brush harvested and spread across the 3.6ha field at Hurstans.  Hurstans is now a traditional hay meadow, with an annual hay cut and grazing over the winter, and now boasts a healthy population of Green Winged Orchids.   Last year the landowner, who belongs to Herefordshire Meadows charity and the local meadows farm cluster group was delighted when Hurstans was declared a special place for nature and became a new county Local Wildlife Site. Herefordshire Meadows

Hurdley Meadows, Montgomeryshire. When this site was restored, there were 5 flowering species, there are now over 70 including Great Burnet, Rough Hawksbeard, Globe Flower, Devil’s Bit Scabious, as well as hundreds of Common Spotted and Early Marsh Orchids. In 2016 this heavily grazed site was harrowed and broadcast with seed from Ty Brith Coronation Meadow (Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust). Experience the joy of the meadows on Jun 11^th and July 9^th, 2023, when the owners open their garden as part of the National Garden Scheme.  Hurdley Hall

For more information, see http://coronationmeadows.org.uk The original Coronation Meadows project brought together Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, to celebrate surviving meadows, create new ones and encourage people to discover and enjoy their local special places for wildflowers.