Alma Field

In the rush of modern life, we all crave a quiet corner to reconnect with nature and find a moment of peace. For locals and visitors in Sidmouth, Alma Field offers just that—a tranquil, picturesque wildflower meadow perched atop the cliffs, providing a serene retreat from the bustle below.

What is Alma Field and Where Can I Find It?

Alma Field is a publicly accessible wildflower meadow situated on the cliff top on the eastern edge of Sidmouth, Devon, near Salcombe Hill. A favoured spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers, it offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the town and the magnificent coastline.

There are two main ways to reach the field:

• The Steep Route: A climb on foot from the Esplanade, crossing the well-known Alma Bridge.

• The Gentler Route: Parking atop Hillside Road and taking a pleasant walk along Alma Lane.

How is the Meadow Cared For?

Owned and managed by Sidmouth Town Council, Alma Field is a testament to the town's commitment to preserving its natural beauty. The council employs a "light touch" approach known as a "cut and clear regime," which mimics traditional hay meadow practices. This involves mowing paths for walkers in the summer and cutting the entire meadow at the end of the season.

This minimal intervention allows for a profusion of flowers to emerge each summer. While the management style emphasizes natural regeneration, the field was also sown with a commercial wildflower seed mix in 2018. The impact of this has been mixed. Some sown annuals like poppies and cornflowers—along with other "weeds of cultivation" like corncockle, corn marigold, and stinking chamomile—are gradually declining, as they require the annual plowing of an arable field to thrive. This gentle retreat of the sown species allows the more established perennials, such as the flourishing knapweeds and daisies, to truly represent the success of the traditional hay meadow regime.

The vegetative analysis of the Alma Field shows a varied mix of primary habitat types with grassland classes being the most dominant. There is a good degree of hedgerow and general scrub species as the central grass area is surrounded by scrubby hedgerow. There are a significant number of species associated with cultivated land and this is partly due to the close proximity of domestic gardens on the landward side but some of the species remain from the 'reseeding' that was done some ten years ago.

What Can I See There?

Despite its small size, Alma Field supports a wonderfully diverse ecosystem, rewarding the patient observer with a rich display of flora and fauna.

Vibrant Flora

Look closely and you will see the meadow is a tapestry of grassland species, dominated by false-oat grass, cock's-foot, and Yorkshire fog. These are complemented by the more delicate sweet vernal grass, meadow foxtail, and timothy grass, which form the base of this rich ecosystem. In mid-summer, these grasses are joined by a colourful display of flowering plants such as common and greater knapweed, agrimony, cat's-ear, various vetch species, field bindweed, yarrow, and wild carrot. The most prominent flowers are the vibrant poppies—remnants of the 2018 seeding—and brilliant ox-eye daisies, which create a stunning visual spectacle.

Ox-Eye Daisies grow in "great crowds" and "almost blot out the other flowers" there.

The geology here tells its own story. While nearby Salcombe Hill consists of New Red Sandstone with a capping of Greensand, Alma Field's underlying Sidmouth mudstone creates damp, moisture-retentive soil conditions. This acidic wet mixture of clay and flint is the perfect habitat for the nationally scarce corky-fruited water-dropwort, a true indicator species for this unique coastal environment.

As the chart shows, flora is the dominant species group with a diverse array of grasses there is a mixed population of arthropod species however the range of birds is somewhat limited probably due to the small size of the site and the lack of woodland cover.

On a sunny day, the air hums with more than just bees and butterflies; take a moment to spot the full breadth of life the meadow supports. It is a fantastic spot for watching butterflies, with gatekeepers, red admirals, peacocks, commas, meadow browns, marbled whites, common blues, and small skippers all making an appearance. Listen closely for the sounds of grasshoppers and bush-crickets, and keep an eye out for a host of other vital pollinators and predators, including hoverflies, ichneumon wasps, sawflies, various beetles, and bees. Even dragonflies can be seen hunting over the meadow on warm days. Birdwatchers might also spot robins, dunnocks, and chaffinches darting in and out of the bordering hedgerows.

As with most grassland sites June and July are undoubtedly the best time to visit for species diversity. It is worth noting, however, that in keeping with traditional meadow management practices, the grass is cut and removed in August so a visit later in the summer is likely to disappoint.

Alma Field is a cherished natural asset—a small but vibrant testament to what can be achieved through thoughtful, light-touch conservation. It is a place of simple beauty and quiet reflection. Yet, its future is intrinsically linked to the dynamic coastline it overlooks. The very path that leads many to its gate, the route across Alma Bridge, is vulnerable to the constant pressure of coastal erosion. The proposal for a new bridge, relocated further inland, is therefore more than a practical solution; it is a symbol of the stewardship required to preserve access to these natural treasures in a changing world.