Set within a V-shaped valley, Hellington Low Common is a green gemstone and vital haven for wildlife and people in a wider farming landscape.
The bubbling, clear water of Hellington Beck carves the meadow in half at its lowest point, creating an interesting distinction between the habitats of its north and south sides. Birds singing from a newly planted hedgerow guide you past a sweeping grassy meadow, rich with nectar-giving plants such as cow parsley and bush vetch, as you enter the Common from the south side.
Across the wooden footbridge over the stream’s valley floor, dragonflies may be seen balancing on the violet flowers of water mint whilst the sound of fresh running water trickles through the air. An open expanse of marshy grassland, thick with shaggy reeds and wetland plants stretches northwards away from the Beck, gently rising to a neutral grassland plateau bordered by berry-rich scrub in the north. Common spotted orchids and common twayblades lie in wait for spotting around the margins of this meadow, which has conveniently strimmed pathways for exploring its wildlife’s hidden worlds.
Habitats - Neutral grassland, acid grassland, marshy grassland, scrub, stream
When to visit - For the best chance to see common spotted orchids and common twayblades visit late April to beginning of July for twayblades and June and July for orchids.
Associated Groups - Hellington & Rockland St Mary Community Reserve
Get involved? You can support the group by either becoming a stakeholder for £20 per year to support the management and maintenance of the reserve, or by volunteering to help with the practical tasks on site. Contact the Secretary on 01508 538 952 or email
[email protected]
Submit a wildlife sighting - Your wildlife records are important to us and we would love to know what wildlife you see when visiting this site. To submit a wildlife record for this site
click here.