Mottey Meadows National Nature Reserve is one of the best examples in the UK of wildflower rich floodplain meadows. The reserve is made up of a series of alluvial flood meadows which have been managed as hay meadows for many centuries. Main habitats: lowland grassland The site is limited to permit holders only apart from guided walks. Features of interest The reserve’s grassland supports over 240 species of flowering plants and grasses. Plants such as common meadow rue, yellow flag iris and water mint may be seen in the ditches and in the wetter meadows you will find cuckoo flower and marsh marigold. The site supports a number of invertebrate species, including many species of butterflies and the rare horsetail weevil. Mottey Meadows is also home to breeding birds such as snipe, curlew and lapwing. Directions The nearest train station is in Penkridge, 8 kilometres to the east. Bus services run between Penkridge and Wheaton Aston. See the Traveline West Midlands website for details. By car, access to the site is via minor roads from the A5, A41, A449 and A518. The site is 2 kilometres north of the A5, 0.5 kilometres south of Marston village and 1 kilometres west of the town of Wheaton Aston. Contact For more information about this reserve, or to discuss volunteering opportunities, contact Paul Shires (Senior Reserve Manager for Staffordshire and Cheshire NNRs) on 01952 812111 or email paul.shires@naturalengland.org.uk