Hayloft Meadow, Barnard Castle, County Durham

Hayloft Meadow is a south facing upland meadow which directly abuts Scargill Low Moor in The North Pennines, close to the villages of Bowes and Gilmonby. The meadow’s location on the moorland edge offers fantastic views across an expanse of unspoilt countryside. The historic market town of Barnard Castle is around a 10 minute drive away.

The land would appeal to those looking for a manageable parcel of amenity land, a hay meadow or land to graze livestock; there is stock-proof fencing on all sides. In this way, the meadow is suited to either those seeking a peaceful retreat for relaxation, recreational camping, or a productive area for grass production or to graze cattle, sheep or horses.

The land is classified as Grade 4 and described as improved grassland with the soil type as slowly permeable, seasonally wet acid upland soil capable of producing good meadow grass which has been cut for hayledge annually. As an upland hay meadow, the land attracts diverse and abundant wildlife with curlews, golden plover, redshank, lapwing and oystercatcher amongst others and would therefore be of significant appeal to bird enthusiasts.

Hayloft Meadow is conveniently located just a short drive from the main A66 trunk road which bridges Yorkshire, Durham and The Lake District. Access is gained via a gated green lane from the public highway as shown on the wood map. A further wooden field gate near the end of the track (the fourth on your right-hand side) gains you access on to the meadow itself.

Stepping through the entrance, a green expanse of open land unfolds before you. To your left, the eastern boundary features a charming traditional dry-stone wall, complemented by a sturdy stock-proof fence. The southern boundary is again marked by a dry-stone wall, but there is a secondary stock-proof fence providing extra security to prevent livestock from falling into the small stream/sike. The area around the sike is teeming with wildlife, from vibrant plants to bustling insects and various animals and birds.

As you continue along the southern boundary, you’ll encounter one of the many historic stone quarry features in this area. These quarries were once used to source stone for the extensive dry-stone walls and buildings. Over time, this particular quarry has transformed into a beautiful meadow pond, attracting a variety of wildlife and birds. It’s an ideal spot for those who enjoy bird watching and camping.

A brand-new stock fence marks the western boundary which is marked with orange paint. Continue north along the western boundary and you’ll reach the northern boundary’s dry-stone wall, which separates the meadow from the green lane beyond it. This wall will guide you back to the meadow’s parking area and access gate.

Hayloft Meadow is a wonderful spot for those passionate about environmental conservation and sustainable land management. Grazing livestock can be an excellent way to maintain and improve habitats. This practice, known as conservation grazing, supports a variety of wildlife by creating diverse vegetation structures and providing food sources for invertebrates and birds.

Due to the presence of ground-nesting birds (including Plover, Curlew and Lapwing) this meadow is not suitable for tree planting or woodlands creation. Keeping the area clear of woodland ensures that these vulnerable species have a safe environment to breed and thrive, by maintaining the open habitat that they require.