Juniper Meadow is a rare grass chalkland habitat that explodes into life in the summer months as a carpet of wildflowers. It would be of significant interest to those interested in wildflower meadow conservation and management.

This rare habitat, an example of a calcareous grassland, has unfortunately been on the decline since WWII due to increasingly intensive farming methods utilised in the rural economy. It is characterised by shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone. This geology sets the conditions for some of the most species rich habitats we have here in the UK. Juniper Meadow hums with life - a blaze of colour from the abundant wildflowers, the buzz of crickets and grasshoppers to the butterflies dancing in the light breeze among delicate petals – there are sounds, colours and smells which delight the senses.

The land has an agricultural past having been farmed for arable crops historically, before being reverted to grassland a number of years ago and since grazed lightly by cattle. The arable reversion has encouraged the proliferation of species on the meadow, making it now a haven of wildflowers, birds, bees, butterflies and other insects in the summer months. A wide array of orchids, including bee orchids, can be found on Juniper Meadow along with a host of other flowers including Cuckoo Flower, Cowslips, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Dog Rose, Red Clover, Buttercups, Selfheal and Oxeye Daisies to name but a few. Spring time sees skylarks use the land as a nesting site, which one should be mindful of. This array of colour, and accompanying insect activity, make Juniper Meadow a magical place to spend time, reflect and absorb the beauty of the environment.

With regard to tree planting, even though the Forestry Commission designate the land as a woodland priority habitat, extensive planting would not be encouraged on this site. Due to the diversity of the grassland and the rarity of the habitat, this land would be best suited to somebody interested in grassland conservation who was looking to manage it sensitively. This would include not cutting the land until the flowers had gone to seed, only lightly grazing it and not leaving it to go completely wild and overgrown. At most, some parkland style planting would be appropriate, which would leave plenty of light and space for the grassland and its wildflowers to continue to seed and develop. This meadow would be not be appropriate for a reforestation or carbon offsetting programme.

When heading along the access track in a southerly direction, Juniper Meadow can be found at the end on the right hand side, where a name plate and area of hardstanding can be found. To the east is neighbouring Frith Wood, meaning mature broadleaved trees line the back of the meadow offering both a screen and a wonderful backdrop to the land. Frith Wood is part of a larger site of geological importance known as ‘Bulls Cross, The Frith & Juniper Hill’ which lies on the Jurassic Limestone of the western Cotswolds and is classified as a SSSI. Juniper Meadow itself is not classified as a SSSI.

As one walks from the entrance out west towards Painswick Valley, the boundary to the south is formed by a stock proof fence which demarcates the boundary with a neighbouring field in which livestock are grazed. Some hedgerow trees along this boundary offer spots of shade in the summer months. The northern boundary, on your right hand side, is demarcated by a line of stakes. As one goes over the crest of the hill, the meadow drops away gradually down into the valley, offering breath-taking views out across rolling hills and down the Painswick valley to the left. Truly magical sunsets can be enjoyed from this spot. A small copse of cherry and other species is located in the south western corner of the meadow. A permissive path runs north to south close to the western boundary, as shown in the pictures and on the wood map.

Ideally located between Stroud and Gloucester within the Cotswolds AONB, Juniper Meadow presents a rare opportunity to acquire a parcel of private land with outstanding biodiversity. It would be best suited to somebody interested in the management of a wildflower meadow, and of great appeal to those with conservation and environmental interests.

The purchasers of the meadow will be asked to enter into a covenant