Pudsham Meadows near Buckland-in-the-Moor, Dartmoor is a stunning habitat for orchids and butterflies and a range of rare flora and fauna. According to Dartmoor National Park ecologists, they stand as the finest hay meadows within the National Park. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan identifies such fields as Priority Habitat due to their alarming decline over the past half-century. Now, they are highly localized, and Dartmoor alone accounts for about 6% of the national resource—Pudsham, each of its four meadows, Small Field, Goat Field, Pudsham meadow and Sylvia’s Field is truly a gem.

I only write outside in the wildest nature I can find and Pudsham meadows is one of the most diverse, most inspirational places I have ever worked in. I have been writing here for over a year now and volunteering with the Management team to maintain and support the life of the meadows. On Wednesday 24th June I will lead a nature-writing walk in the meadows with Helen Bruce of DPA.

I came here first because I was looking for the willow-warbler, that beautiful bird with the olive green wings and yellow stripe above the eyes. It was early April 2025. 

2026

2025