Town Meadows

7: A Guide to Sidmouth’s Meadows: The Knapp to Sid Meadow

Explore the unique histories and wildlife of Sidmouth's grasslands. Discover the rare ant hills of Peasland Knapp and the wildflower restoration at Margaret's Meadow.

The Sid Valley is home to a patchwork of "rough meadows" and "old style grasslands" that have escaped modern development. These sites are not just open spaces; they are carefully managed refuges for local biodiversity.

The Jewels of the Sid Vale Association (SVA)

The SVA manages several key sites specifically to promote wildflower diversity and protect rare habitats.

1. The Knapp & Peasland Knapp

This 11-acre complex is one of the most significant "unimproved" remnants in the area.

Uncultivated Rarity: Peasland Knapp features steep, uncultivated grassland—a habitat that is incredibly rare in Britain because it was inaccessible to modern tractors.
Indicator Species: Look for Yellow Meadow Ant hills (which can be over 100 years old), Southern Marsh Orchids, and Yellow Rattle.
Management: To keep the soil nutrient-poor and the flowers thriving, volunteers use traditional sheep grazing in winter and manual cutting.

2. Margaret’s Meadow & Gilchrist Field

Located in the northern section of The Byes, these sites are transitioning from rank, grass-heavy fields into diverse meadows.

Current Flora: Margaret’s Meadow is notable for its populations of Pignut and Hogweed.
Diverse Habitats: Beyond grass, these sites include large ponds and riverside woodland noted for excellent biodiversity.

National Trust & Public Landscapes

3. Sid Meadow

Part of the National Trust’s holdings, this riverside meadow is situated along the main path of The Byes.

Geology: It is underlain by Otter Sandstone, which influences the types of flora and fauna found there.
History: The meadow retains archaeological features, including field boundaries dating back to at least 1838.

4. Sidmouth Cemetery

While used for burials, the older sections (over 100 years old) have regained the characteristics of a valuable grassland habitat.

Fungal Indicators: It is a rare site for Waxcaps and Fairy Rings, which signal undisturbed, ancient soil.

5. The Knowle

Once a private estate with exotic animals and gardens, The Knowle is now a public space under the care of the Town Council.

Rewilding: While it has a high number of "escaped" garden weeds due to its history, recent "re-wilding" and wildflower seeding are beginning to change its ecological profile.

Click the site title if you would like detailed information on any of these sites

Before you go

The Sidmouth Meadow Audit

Goal: To compare a "Topographical Survivor" (a site that was never ploughed because it was too steep) with a "Recovered Meadow" (a site that was once agricultural but is now managed for nature).

What You’ll Need:

A notebook or a printed copy of the "Management Audit Checklist" below.
A camera or phone for photos.
The "Grasslands of Sidmouth" series as a reference.

Step 1: Visit Site A – The Topographical Survivor (Peasland Knapp)

Walk up to the steep areas of Peasland Knapp.

Look for Ant Hills: Can you find the Yellow Meadow Ant hills? Remember, these can be over 100 years old. Large, grass-covered mounds indicate the soil hasn't been turned by a plough in a century.
Check the Slope: Notice how steep the ground is. Ask yourself: "Could a modern tractor drive across this safely?" This steepness is why this site is so biodiverse today.
Plant Hunt: Look for Yellow Rattle (which rattles when dry) or Southern Marsh Orchids in the summer.

Step 2: Visit Site B – The Recovered Meadow (Margaret’s Meadow)

Walk to Margaret’s Meadow in The Byes.

Look for Structure: Notice the "rank" (tall and thick) grasses. While this site is recovering, you might see more Hogweed and Pignut here.
The Management Sign: Look for signs of recent cutting or grazing. If the grass has been cut and left on the ground, that’s "mulching." If it’s been removed, it’s "hay making." Which do you see?
The Golden Copse: Find the Golden Jubilee trees. This reminds us that this site is a "parkland" setting—a blend of human celebration and wild recovery.

Step 3: The Audit Comparison

In your notebook, answer the following based on your observations: