Stuart Fawkes

Stuart Fawkes

Stuart Fawkes (c) Nathan Millar

Stuart Fawkes

Stuart Fawkes nature reserve, also known as Box Meadows SSSI, is made up of three fields and is home to one of Britain's largest populations of meadow clary, a very rare plant found in only 21 sites.

Location

Found on the south side of Box Village
Nailsworth
The nearest postcode is GL6 9HA

OS Map Reference

ST865997
What3Words: capillary.winner.shocks
A static map of Stuart Fawkes

Know before you go

Size
8 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

There is room for one vehicle to park along the track off Box Lane but parking available on roads around the village.

Grazing animals

Cattle

Access

The terrain is gentle-sloped but flat

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open access throughout the year

Best time to visit

June to July

About the reserve

The gently-sloping, south-facing limestone grassland at Stuart Fawkes’ nature reserve is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The three fields support one of the UK’s largest populations of meadow clary, which flowers in June and July. This rare plant, also known as Salvia pratensis, is found on just 21 sites in the country.  Other wildflowers found at Stuart Fawkes include common rock-rose, cowslip and white helleborine, along with bee, green-winged, early purple, common spotted, pyramidal and autumn lady’s tresses orchids. All these plants attract butterflies over the summer, including small blue, small heath and dingy skipper. Grazing cattle help to maintain the grassland of this reserve.

The nature reserve is named after Frederick Stuart Fawkes, one of the founders of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and was adopted by the Trust in 1978. Previously it was referred to as Ball’s Green Pasture.

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

More detailed directions

Access is from Box or Minchinhampton, via Box Lane.

From Box, turn right off Box Lane down a small farm track at the sharp turn shortly after St Barnabas' Church.

From Minchinhampton, go south along Box Lane and turn left at the sharp turn just after Box End Farm. The turn is marked with a public footpath sign.