North Lawn: Only a very thin layer of soil on top of tipped material so trees have never established. The drainage is impeded creating a marshy grassland. Grazing of the grasses by rabbits means that springy lawn-moss dominates. Highlights include changing forget-me-not, silverweed, creeping buttercup, ground ivy, square stalked St.John’s wort, tormentil, teasel, bush vetch, ragwort, fairy flax, kidney vetch, meadow cranesbill, devil’s-bit scabious, musk-mallow, crosswort eye-bright and evening primrose. The regionally rare grass vetchling was recorded until 6 years ago.
South Lawn: Once had excellent reputation for its diversity/number of orchids (common spotted-orchid, southern marsh-orchid and various hybrid orchids. Deteriorated so by 2009 there was only 1 clump of 3 southern marsh-orchids. However following wet summers, balsam control and increase in sedges providing protection from rabbits the number of flowering spikes increased to c800. Many species seen in the North Lawn are also present with the notable addition of Ragged Robin.
Lagoon: The yellow water lilies are not as extensive as they have been at their peak due to the need for the anglers to have accessible waters for casting. We work closely with the anglers to achieve a balance. Other species include Canadian waterweed, spiked water milfoil, curled pond weed, fennel pondweed and rigid hornwort.
Area of Tipped Material: Its free draining with little soil formation. Plants include large flowered evening primrose and Tall eryngo (sea holly) a long way from its normal habitat on the south coast!
Riverside: Dominated by mature crack willows, with ash, sycamore, grey willow, goat willow, hawthorn and elder. We still have Himalayan balsam on the inaccessible areas of the river bank. Along the riverside path you will see a lot of the species listed in the North lawn.
Woodland and Glades: Particularly fine display of ramsons (wild garlic) in Spring. Woodpiles for the small mammals. Small glades to support butterflies and other flying insects. Alder buckthorns planted to attract brimstone butterflies.