Summerground – our first community Nature Reserve
We are delighted to announce that Summerground, Limpley Stoke and Freshford’s first community owned Nature Reserve is now open to the community. The field at the top of Crowe Hill was purchased by FLiSCA and funded by donations in 2024, in order that it would be protected in perpetuity for nature.
This priority calcareous grassland habitat contains nationally rare Bath Asparagus, orchid and meadow species and part of the field is designated SSSI.
In partnership with YoungWilders and Nature Chain’s Meadows Group the land will be managed to enhance and protect its biodiversity. This year we will do an ecological baseline study and Nature Chain will host a calendar of nature-related community events. We have had camera traps operating in the field and have so far recorded roe deer, muntjacs, foxes and tawny owls.
The gate is now signposted and you are welcome to walk gently in the field, recording any wildlife sightings you have on i-naturalist or on the black board. Please keep the gate shut and take care as there are ticks and very steep and uneven ground including many large, raised ant hills. The field will be closed annually in late summer for conservation grazing by local cattle.
We hope that the delicate ecology will be respected and particularly by adhering to the ‘no dogs permitted’ rule.
For more information and to sign-up to emails on community events visit www.naturechain.co.uk or contact Tania Pascoe 07841 327475round
Risk Assessment
Summerground is open to all the community (apart from when it closed in late summer/autumn for conservation grazing).
The land is steeply sloping and uneven with many raised ant hills. Ticks are present in summer and care should be taken at all times.
Please refer to our risk assessment before visiting.