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
For Developers
For Landowners
Where Are They Found?
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
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 due to rarity and species richness
• Condition Potential: High, with sensitive management maintaining or improving biodiversity
• Habitat Connectivity: Contributes to upland ecological networks and supports upland birds and specialist insects
• Climate and Landscape Context: Supports landscape character, provides habitat stability and forms part of resilient upland systems
Species Typical of
Upland Hay Meadow
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
• Other small herbs typical of species rich upland meadows
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Frequently Asked Questions
Exploring Other Habitats?
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.
Upland Calcareous Grassland
Upland calcareous grassland is a springy, species-rich habitat occurring above approximately 250–300 metres on lime-rich, or “base-rich,” soils. The habitat develops as a short, species rich sward of calcicolous grasses, herbs and orchids adapted to alkaline conditions and cooler upland climates The grassland appears patchy and open, with fine grasses, colourful herbs and scattered rock outcrops. Wild thyme, common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil often grow alongside sheep’s fescue and upright brome, creating a varied mosaic.
Upland Acid Grassland
Upland Acid Grassland is a mix of fine grasses, mosses and small herbaceous plants adapted to low pH and limited nutrients. This habitat appears as an open grassy landscape, often dominated by mat grass or purple moor grass. Texture and color come from all patches of tormentil, heath bedstraw and scattered mosses.
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