Far High House Meadows

Far High House Meadows is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Upper Weardale in west County Durham, England. It consists of three fields, located just south of Burnhope Reservoir, some 3 km west of the village of Ireshopeburn. Two of the fields are maintained as northern hay meadows by traditional farming methods, without re-seeding or the application of artificial fertilisers; the third is grazed as pasture.

Far High House Meadows
Map showing the location of Far High House Meadows
Map showing the location of Far High House Meadows
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationMAGiC MaP
Nearest town Stanhope
Coordinates54°44′23″N 2°15′3″W / 54.73972°N 2.25083°W / 54.73972; -2.25083
Area5.5 ha (14 acres)
Established1990
Governing bodyNatural England
WebsiteFar High House Meadows SSSI

The hay fields are dominated by common bent, Agrostis capillaris, and sweet vernal-grass, Anthoxanthum odoratum, and support a diversity of forbs, among which globe-flower, Trollius europaeus, and marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris, are well represented, with early-purple orchid, Orchis mascula, among the species present in the wetter areas.

The pasture is a mix of acidic upland grassland, dry grassland and flushes, the last dominated by rushes and sedges. [1]

References

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  1. ^ "Far High House Meadows : Reasons for SSSI status" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 1 April 2022.