Popes Meadow - Binfield, Bracknell - 01344 352000

Once part of the grounds of Pope’s Manor, this small 13.7 acres of established parkland located in Binfield, Berkshire (RG42 4BA).

Pope’s Meadow was officially opened to the public in 1985 for informal recreation.

Location: St Mark's Road, Binfield, Berkshire, RG42 4BA (51.4224055, -0.7884407).

The site is named after Binfield’s most famous resident, the poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744) who lived in Pope’s Manor adjacent to the site. Known for such works as ‘Pastorals’, ‘Essay on Criticism’ and ‘The Rape of the Lock’, Pope sang in the local choir and is also remembered locally for his poems on Windsor Forest and the River Lodden. Much of his work was written while living in the village. A grove of beech trees called Pope’s Wood to the south of the village and the surrounding landscape is where the poet is said to have gained a great deal of inspiration. The private grounds of Pope’s Manor are opened to the public once a year. For a list of activities please see our events webpage.

Pope’s Meadow is a haven for wildlife consisting of open wood pasture, pond and copse.

The pasture area is managed as a traditional hay meadow and is home to wildflowers, insects and small mammals. The large trees of the parkland (some of which are veteran) are mostly common or pedunculate oak, although there are also limes and conifers and a mixed hedge of native species. The pond is essential for supporting a variety of wildlife including, frogs, toads, damselflies and dragonflies.

The copse mainly consists of holly, oak, hawthorn, and hazel which provides good shelter for birds such as chaffinch, blackbird, thrush and robin. Shade-loving plants such as wood sorrel and bluebells can be found in the understorey and decaying wood is host to a wide variety of fungi.

Other management measures to try and encourage wildlife include the installation of stag beetle loggeries, bird boxes and hibernation places for toads called hibernacula.

(Source: http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/popesmeadow)

Tags: Playground,Public Garden