The low-lying site is situated adjacent to the River Tone which annually overtops, flooding the fields in winter.
Soils are predominantly alluvial clays overlying Altcar series peats.
Vegetation in the grazing meadows consists almost entirely of agriculturally improved swards. The flora and fauna of the ditches and rhynes is of national importance. The moist fields in spring and early summer support a diverse and numerous breeding bird population which is now nationally rare.