About the reserve

The Girton network of water meadows – located on the River Fleet (which branches from the Trent) – is one of the only remnant water meadow systems in the county and is of national importance.

Floodplain habitats are very important, but what makes the Girton Grasslands area especially important is the rare type of grassland that it supports (scientifically known as ‘Mesotrophic Grasslands 4’ or MG4). What makes MG4 different to other grasslands is that it draws its nutrients from floodwater. This helps to give the grasslands its unique properties, enabling them to support a specific range of common and rare wildflowers, as well as invertebrates, wading birds and mammals.