The Drift, Sewstern, near Wymondham

Cribb's Meadow

Mixed-habitat reserve

Source image

6.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WetlandFarmlandWildlife loversWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.2

A small reserve where grassland, two ponds and a disused railway line are being reclaimed by scrub and mature trees. In spring, the ponds may host great crested newts; later in spring and summer, orchids and butterflies bring the grassland into focus.

Cribb’s Meadow earns its place through its intricate habitat mix rather than scale: ponds, flower-rich grassland and a disused railway line threaded with scrub and trees. It offers a quiet, close-looking nature visit, with seasonal wildlife and plants to seek out.

Peaceful · Secluded

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The Drift, Sewstern, near Wymondham

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The experience

A short, quiet reserve visit built around its habitat mosaic. Take time to look across the grassland, around the two ponds and along the disused railway line; in spring and summer, watch for the plants and wildlife noted by the reserve manager.

Things to do

Look for spring flowers

Search the reserve for cowslip and adder’s tongue, which the reserve manager lists among its spring wildflowers.

Scan the ponds for great crested newts

The reserve manager says visitors looking closely in spring might be lucky enough to see great crested newts in the ponds.

Look for orchids in the grassland

The reserve lists green-winged and common spotted orchids among the flowers to spot in later spring and summer.

Watch for butterflies

Keep an eye out in the grasslands for grizzled skipper and green hairstreak butterflies, which the reserve says may be seen in summer.

Explore the former railway line

Follow the reserve’s disused railway line, where scrub and mature trees are reclaiming the old route.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow 1–2 hours; the source does not give a visit duration.

A quiet loop through the meadow mosaic

01
Enter through one of the reserve’s hand gates and close it behind you.
02
Explore the reserve’s grassland, pond edges and disused railway line at an unhurried pace.
03
In spring and summer, pause to look for the flowers and wildlife identified by the reserve manager.

Verified history

The reserve includes a disused railway line, now partly covered by trees and scrub. The supplied sources do not provide further history of the railway or site.

Hidden details

A railway corridor returning to nature — The former railway line is partly covered by scrub and trees, including buckthorn and dogwood, with oak, ash and crack willow in places.

Small flowers worth slowing down for — Alongside orchids, the reserve manager notes cowslip and adder’s tongue in spring, and agrimony, great burnet and yellow rattle in summer.

When to go

· No specific time of day is given by the supplied sources.

The reserve manager recommends summer. Spring brings birdsong and flowers, with a chance of seeing great crested newts in the ponds; later spring and summer are the stated seasons for orchids, and summer for named butterflies.

Check conditions before visiting; the supplied sources provide no weather guidance.

What to look for

In spring, look closely at the ponds for great crested newts, which the reserve says visitors may be lucky to see. Later in spring and summer, look for green-winged and common spotted orchids, and for grizzled skipper and green hairstreak butterflies in the grassland. The reserve also names adder’s tongue and cowslip in spring, and agrimony, great burnet and yellow rattle in summer.

The story

Disused railway line reclaimed by scrub and mature trees.

Best time to go

Spring to summer; the reserve manager recommends summer, with spring birdsong, flowers and possible great crested newt sightings, and later spring and summer orchids and butterflies.

Spring for birdsong, spring flowers and the chance of seeing great crested newts; later spring and summer for orchids and butterflies. The reserve manager lists summer as the best time to visit.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Wildlife lovers · Walkers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Grantham LE14 2BP

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

3.0 · 2 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The reserve manager says it is always open and free to enter. Access is through hand gates; there are steps. Keep gates closed because livestock may be present.

Parking

The reserve manager advises parking on the right-hand verge just after the junction when turning towards Sewstern. Check directions before travelling; the supplied source row gives a different postcode from the reserve page.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs on a lead, according to the reserve manager.

Accessibility

There are steps and access is via hand gates. The source does not provide further accessibility information; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free