Sutton Heath Road, Southorpe, Peterborough PE9 3BX
Southorpe Paddock
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
6.1
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.1A small, two-hectare reserve with a raised bank that becomes a summer display of clustered bellflower, harebell and pyramidal orchid.
Southorpe Paddock is a compact wildflower reserve with a distinctive raised meadow bank and specific summer wildlife to look for, including marbled white butterflies and spotted flycatchers. Its appeal is a focused, seasonal nature visit rather than a long walk.
Peaceful · Seasonal
Find your way
Open mapSutton Heath Road, Southorpe, Peterborough PE9 3BX
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The experience
Allow time to explore the raised area through the reserve and look closely at the wildflowers and summer wildlife. This is a short nature visit, not a substantial walking destination.
Things to do
Look closely along the raised bank
The raised area through the reserve supports diverse wildflowers. In summer, look for clustered bellflower, harebell and pyramidal orchid.
Check before visiting
Watch for marbled white butterflies
The Wildlife Trust specifically identifies marbled white butterflies as a summer species to look out for.
Look and listen for spotted flycatchers
Spotted flycatchers are among the summer wildlife visitors may look out for at the reserve.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
A close look at the wildflower bank
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Explore the small reserve, paying particular attention to the raised area running through its middle.
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In spring and summer, look for the flowers and wildlife highlighted by the Wildlife Trust.
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Expect slopes; check access information before setting out.
Hidden details
The raised wildflower bank — The reserve’s central raised area supports diverse wildflowers, including pyramidal orchid, clustered bellflower and harebell. This is the most distinctive feature to seek out.
When to go
April · May · June · July · Check before visiting; no time-of-day advice is supplied by the source.
The Wildlife Trust recommends spring and summer. It notes that clustered bellflower, harebell and pyramidal orchid flower on the raised banks in summer, with marbled white butterflies and spotted flycatchers also to look out for then.
Check local conditions before travelling. The reserve has slopes; conditions and path surfaces are not specified.
Worth pairing with
Barnack Hills and Holes
Langdyke Countryside Trust describes a short or long circular walk starting from the Hills and Holes car park and taking in the reserve and surrounding area. Check route details and access before combining it with a visit to Southorpe Paddock.
What to look for
In summer, look for purple and pink clustered bellflower and harebell on the raised banks, pyramidal orchids, marbled white butterflies and spotted flycatchers.
Best time to go
Spring and summer; the Wildlife Trust highlights these seasons for visiting.
Spring and summer. For a more specific wildlife focus, the Wildlife Trust notes marbled white butterflies and spotted flycatchers in summer.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Solo
Practical information
Opening & access
Wildlife Trust reserve open at all times. The reserve has slopes; check current access information before visiting.
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Parking
Check before visiting; parking details are not confirmed by the supplied authoritative source.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
No dogs permitted, according to the Wildlife Trust.
Accessibility
There are slopes in the paddock. Surface and step-free accessibility details are not supplied; check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Southorpe Paddock
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
