Upland Hay Meadow BNG Units
Very high
Grassland
Trusted by Developers and Landowners
What is Upland Hay Meadow?
Upland hay meadows are species rich grasslands dominated by a mix of fine grasses and abundant herbaceous wildflowers such as sweet vernal-grass, wood crane’s-bill, great burnet, pignut, and lady’s mantles.
These meadows have developed through long term traditional management that combines light grazing with a late summer hay cut. Rare species including lesser butterfly-orchid and burnt orchid are sometimes found.
This habitat is a dense mix of grasses and a wide variety of wildflowers, with no single grass species dominating the vegetation.
Why It Matters for BNG
Upland hay meadows deliver very high distinctiveness units and contribute significantly to BNG targets. They showcase visible, species rich outcomes valued in planning.
Traditional hay cutting and aftermath grazing create high value BNG supply. Meadows align with low input upland farming and long-term stewardship.
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Where You'll Find It
Upland hay meadows are confined mainly to upland valleys in northern England and parts of Scotland. Key areas include the North Pennines, Lake District and County Durham, with smaller areas in Perthshire and Aberdeenshire.
These meadows typically occur on brown earth soils at altitudes between 200m and 400m and are managed traditionally for hay production or as grazed fields in upland landscapes.
Soil & Site Requirements
Upland hay meadows favour well drained brown earth soils with a pH above 5.5. Nutrient levels must remain low, particularly phosphorus. Sites are usually level or gently sloping and subject to traditional hay meadow regimes. The soil is usually neutral, reasonably fertile, and well-drained, supporting lush vegetation suitable for hay production.
How New Upland Hay Meadow Is Created
Inputs
• Prepare the seedbed carefully before sowing
• Use locally sourced seed or green hay from species rich donor meadows
• Avoid fertiliser and control perennial weeds before seeding
• Encourage natural colonisation where local sources are available
Management
• Cut for hay in late July to early August
• Apply aftermath grazing following the hay cut
• Maintain low intensity management to support establishment
Landscape
• Restore meadows close to existing species rich grassland to maintain local character
• Use green hay from nearby upland meadows to retain local genetic diversity
• Position creation where long term management and monitoring can be secured
How Existing Upland Hay Meadow Is Improved
Inputs
• Control invasive or undesirable species
• Spread green hay to increase species diversity
• Apply small amounts of farmyard manure only where appropriate to maintain structure
Management
• Maintain traditional cutting and aftermath grazing
• Adjust timing to match flowering and seed set in different years
• Avoid overgrazing or complete neglect, both of which reduce species richness
• Protect indicator species such as wood crane’s bill and lady’s mantles
Landscape
• Restore adjacent land to enlarge existing meadows
• Reinstate traditional hay meadow systems to strengthen landscape character
• Improve connectivity across upland valleys by linking species rich fields
Target Condition
Upland hay meadows in their defined BNG condition should:
• Support high plant diversity with a wide range of grasses and herbaceous species
• Maintain low nutrient status with no dominance of coarse grasses or weeds
• Demonstrate continuity of traditional cutting and grazing regimes
• Contain indicator species such as wood crane’s bill and lady’s mantle
• Present a balanced sward structure typical of MG3 grassland
The BNG Value of Upland Hay Meadow
• Distinctiveness: Very high
• Condition Potential: Can be maintained or enhanced through traditional hay cutting and aftermath grazing
• Restoration Pathway: Recognised outcome where traditional upland meadow management is restored or secured
• Strategic Value: Strengthens upland ecological networks and supports specialist plants, insects and birds
Species Typical of Upland Hay Meadows
Canopy or Primary Layer
• Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
• Common bent (Agrostis capillaris)
• Wood crane’s bill (Geranium sylvaticum)
• Other grasses typical of MG3 communities
Shrub or Secondary Layer
• Sparse shrub cover
• Occasional berry bearing shrubs at edges
Ground Flora or Understorey
• Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla species)
• Pignut
• Great burnet
• Eyebrights (Euphrasia species)
• Devil’s bit scabious
• Meadowsweet
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Upland Hay Meadow?
Species-rich hay meadows found in upland areas (often dales), typically on neutral or slightly acidic soils. They are managed by taking a hay crop. It is a very rare priority habitat.
How is BNG measured here?
Condition is assessed based on the presence and abundance of a specific list of positive indicator species (e.g., Globe-flower, Wood Crane's-bill) and the management history.
How can I achieve BNG?
Enhancement requires restoring the traditional management regime: cessation of fertilizer and annual hay cutting after the flower/seed set (usually late July/August).
What is the BNG target condition?
A Very Good condition is the goal, requiring a high diversity and abundance of characteristic upland meadow wildflowers.
What management is required?
Annual late hay cut and removal, followed by aftermath grazing (or no grazing) over winter. Removal of the cuttings is vital for BNG success.
Exploring Other Habitats?
Hazel Scrub
Hazel scrub is a native scrub habitat dominated by hazel, typically forming dense multi-stemmed shrubs or coppice stools usually less than 5 metres in height. It commonly occurs along woodland edges, ride margins, hedgerow networks and as transitional scrub developing on former grassland or farmland.
Hazel scrub provides structural habitat for birds and small mammals and produces nuts, catkins and leaf litter that support invertebrates and woodland food webs. It may also function as a transitional habitat facilitating woodland regeneration.
Lowland Heathland
Lowland heathland is a semi-natural habitat dominated by dwarf shrubs growing on nutrient-poor, acidic soils in the lowland zone, generally below about 300 metres above sea level. The vegetation is typically dominated by ericaceous species such as heather, bell heather, and cross-leaved heath, often with gorse species.
Lowland heathland usually occurs as a mosaic habitat, containing patches of dwarf shrub heath alongside acid grassland, bare ground, scattered scrub or trees, and occasionally wet heath or small bog areas.
Bramble Scrub
Bramble scrub is a dense scrub habitat dominated by bramble , typically forming thick thickets between 2 and 3 metres in height. It commonly occurs along woodland margins, grassland edges, road and rail embankments, brownfield land and other disturbed areas as part of natural vegetation succession. All bramble scrub parcels are also recorded as poor condition in the metric, regardless of their structure or species composition.
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