Teigngrace Meadow

Daisies growing in a field at Teigngrace

Teigngrace Meadow. Photo, Andrew Taylor

A fascinating 'new' landscape created from the diggings of nearby clay quarries. Birds, butterflies and wildflowers jostle for room amongst its meadowland and steep-sided slopes.

Location

On the Stover Trail, 2 miles south from Bovey Tracey
TQ12 6RG

OS Map Reference

SX838763
A static map of Teigngrace Meadow

Know before you go

Size
33 hectares

Grazing animals

Seasonal. Please keep dogs on lead when grazing animals are present.

Walking trails

A series of permissive paths and footpaths allow you to explore the nature reserve. The Stover Trail runs through the site. A pleasant stretch of the River Bovey also flows along one edge.

Access

The Stover Trail provides good access through the nature reserve. Unsurfaced footpaths lead from this into the site. Some sections of these paths are steep.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

All day, every day.

Best time to visit

March to October

About the reserve

The Stover Trail traffic-free path runs through the reserve making this a great place to visit by bike, on horseback or on foot.  

This is a fascinating new Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Walk to the top of the hill for wonderful views of Dartmoor and the spectacular industrial landscape of the Bovey Basin.

 

Ash dieback

The disease ash dieback is now widespread in the UK and is present at many of our nature reserves, so we carry out tree felling across our sites in winter months. For your own safety please observe temporary path diversions and closures.

Where possible we will leave affected ash trees in place to decay naturally as an important habitat for wildlife. We plan to only fell diseased ash trees which pose a threat to people or infrastructure. Before trees are felled, we will check whether any rare or protected wildlife is present. If it is, we will postpone or avoid felling these trees. No felling will take place during the bird nesting season.

DWT’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes project are working with communities, landowners and businesses to help make Devon's precious treescapes more resilient in the face of ash dieback. Find out how you can get involved here.

 

NOTICE: If you are visiting our reserves, please note that there have been instances of H5N1 Avian bird flu found in birds in Devon. There is very low risk to public health, but we do ask that if you come across any unusual or unexplained bird deaths on or near our reserves, please do not touch them and avoid allowing your dog to come into contact with dead birds. Please report them to Defra here or call 03459 335577 and also report your findings to DWT by email at contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org.

Contact us

Contact number: 01392 279244

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Location map

Three green winged orchids in a grassy field

Green winged orchid. Photo, Michael Taylor

Teigngrace Meadow is one of our newest nature reserves. You are free to explore its mix of meadows, riverbank and great views.

Wildlife to look out for includes: green-winged orchids, marbled white and dingy skipper butterflies, meadow pipits and skylarks. Walk to the top of the nature reserve's hill for wonderful views of Dartmoor and the Bovey Basin.

This nature reserve was formed from nearby clay quarries. Teigngrace is surrounded by the dramatic results of this industry.  

Cycling at Teigngrace Meadow

Photo, Simon Williams

Perfect by horse, by bike or on foot

Head south-east from Bovey Tracey on the multi-use Stover Trail. Having crossed the A38 footbridge, you are in Teigngrace Meadow. Paths into the main body of the reserve are on the right, opposite the cycle stands. The bankside route along the River Bovey starts a bit further on, to the left of the Stover Trail. 

Use Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 110 - Torquay and Dawlish to explore this nature reserve. 

In 2018 we made substantial improvements at Teigngrace Meadow, thinning scrub vegetation over 2.3 hectares, opening up these areas to encourage the spread of wildflowers.

Improvements also included the installation of a 10,000 litre water tank, cattle troughs, pumps and pipework, along with 280 metres of stock fencing and two new gates. This has allowed us to use grazing cattle over a greater area of the reserve - a key part of its long term management.

This work has been undertaken with the help of local volunteers. 

This work has been generously supported by Viridor Credits Environmental Company

 

Volunteers clearing scrub vegetation at Teigngrace Meadow

Support from Viridor Credits Environmental Company has allowed us to make big improvements to Teigngrace Meadow in 2018. Photo, Kevin McDonagh

Biffa Award Logo

Access and conservation improvements at Teigngrace Meadow have been generously supported by Biffa Award.

Become a member and support our work

The vital work we do for nature depends on the support of people who care about the future of Devon’s wildlife and wild places.

Become a member

Teigngrace Meadow nature reserve leaflet