Situated just outside the village of Clandown in North East Somerset, Swift Meadow is a neatly contained parcel of ex agricultural land within easy reach of both Bath and Bristol. With the Mendips and the Cotswolds just a short drive away, the meadow is well placed for those who are interested in planting trees to create new woodland in a picturesque corner of South West England.

The land is accessed via a high quality stoned track enabling year round vehicular access from Broadway Lane, which is a quiet country road surrounded by fields, punctuated by the occasional cottage along its length. The land presents as good quality grassland with excellent potential for afforestation. It has been grazed and cut for hay in recent years. The land is broadly flat in nature, with only a mild incline from the meadow’s entrance down to a gently flowing stream which runs through the valley known as Clandown Bottom, itself forming the eastern boundary. There is an active badger set near the bottom section of the meadow.

Lovely views can be enjoyed across and down the valley to undulating hills populated by mature trees planted in a parkland style. The addition of new woodland to this area would be of tremendous benefit, both for carbon sequestration and for the abundant local wildlife which includes deer, hares and badgers. The trees in the vicinity as well as the mature hedgerows would assist the diversification of the land through natural regeneration – the process by which trees naturally establish on open land due to seed dispersal.

Tree planting at this location would be appropriate for both formal carbon offsetting as well as the establishment of personal amenity woodland. One may also wish to consider leaving some open areas, such as rides and glades, to encourage wildflower development which is ideal for bees and butterflies. There are a number of grant giving bodies which can assist with the cost of planting trees, including The Forestry Commission and the Avon Wildlife Trust who have an excellent local scheme.

In terms of finding the meadow, the main gate can be found on the right hand side of Broadway Lane as you head north, around 500m to the north of the junction of Broadway Land and Water Lane, where a larger for sale sign stands on the verge. You will pass two cottages on your right hand side (which have the postcode BA3 2XP) before a small splay immediately after the second cottage takes you to a field gate on the right hand side. Follow the track for circa 150m and turn right, Swift Meadow is on your left hand side at the end of the track.