Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows

Red-tailed bumblebee on bird's foot trefoil

WildNet - Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

Arlesey Old Moat credit. Pat Doody
Banded demoiselle m. credit. Pat Doody
Image of Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows

Image by Pat Doody

Image of Glebe Meadow

Image by Pat Doody

Image of Arlesey Old Moat

Image by The Wildlife Trust BCN

Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows

A moat with amphibians adjacent to an attractive stream and flower rich meadows and woodland

Location

Arlesey Road
Arlesey
Bedfordshire
SG15 6XA
Henlow
A static map of Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows

Know before you go

Size
4 hectares
z

Entry fee

No

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Closely mown grass, but uneven and tussocky in places

Access

From Stotfold take A507 towards Henlow. Shortly after crossing railway bridge (about 250m) turn right towards train station. Road bends right sharply, under A507, at T-junction turn right onto small road, east again, parallel to main road.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

March to May, June to September

About the reserve

Once associated with the ancient Manor of Arlesey Bury, an L-shaped moat is the main attraction for visitors to these two adjacent reserves. In spring, frogs, toads and newts spawn, and drifts of tadpoles can be seen swimming in search of food. Later in the year, dragonflies flit over the open water, looking for suitable areas to lay their eggs.

Along the River Hiz, where yellow flag iris unfurls its citrus blooms, banded demoiselle dart over Glebe Meadows (‘glebe’ refers to lands which were originally held by the parish priest as part of his benefice. Glebe Meadows is managed in partnership with Arlesey Town Council and Arlesey Conservation for Nature).

The reserve is rich in wildflowers, including black knapweed, cuckooflower and the insect mimicking bee orchid. The developing woodland includes ash and oak, with hawthorn, hazel and blackthorn growing below. We manage the woodland by traditional coppicing to produce dense thickets that are ideal for nesting warblers.  

Additional information

  • Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.

Contact us

Contact number: 01234 364213

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Location map

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

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