The word 'Frith' is Saxon for a wooded enclosure, which couldn’t better describe the land at Frith Meadow; about 24 acres of wildflower meadow surrounded by ancient woodland in the heart of Gloucestershire. Ideally located between Stroud and Gloucester within the Cotswolds AONB, Frith Meadow presents a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial parcel of private land with outstanding biodiversity. It would be of significant appeal to those with conservation and environmental interests.

Frith Meadow hums with life - a blaze of colour from the abundant wildflowers, the buzz of crickets or grasshoppers to the butterflies dancing in the light breeze among delicate petals – there are sounds, colours and smells which delight the senses. The land has an agricultural history having been farmed for arable crops before being reverted to grassland which has been grazed by cattle in recent years. The arable reversion has encouraged the proliferation of species on the meadow, making it now a haven of wildflowers, bees, butterflies and other insects in the summer months. A wide array of orchids, including bee orchids, can be found on Frith Meadow along with a host of other flowers including Cuckoo Flower, Cowslips, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Dog Rose, Red Clover, Buttercups, Selfheal and Oxeye Daisies to name but a few. This array of colour, and accompanying insect activity, make Frith Meadow a magical place to spend time, reflect and absorb the beauty of the environment.

The meadow has an extremely private feel due to being bordered on three sides by The Frith Wood, meaning mature beech trees line the boundaries of the meadow offering both a screen and a wonderful backdrop to the meadowland. The Frith Wood is part of a larger site of geological importance known as ‘Bulls Cross, The Frith & Juniper Hill’ which lies on the Jurassic Limestone of the western Cotswolds and is classified as a SSSI. Frith Meadow itself is not classified as a SSSI. The fourth boundary, to the south, is formed by a stock proof fence which demarcates the boundary with a neighbouring field in which livestock are grazed.

With regard to tree planting, due to the diversity of the grassland, a new owner may wish to consider leaving plenty of glades for the wildflowers. A more parkland style approach might be best suited to this parcel of land, with generous spacing between trees leaving plenty of light and space for the grassland and its wildflowers to continue to seed and develop. Frith Meadow could be enhanced with the planting of a number of broadleaved species, or Juniper Trees (which are native to the area), but this might be done in a way that is sympathetic to the habitats already present. The land is ripe with potential for a truly magical scheme.

The land enjoys two routes of access, one to the north from Slad Road (B4070) in the form of a vehicular access track which runs through the neighbouring woodland, and one to the south across the neighbouring field from the top of Folly Lane. When entering through the field gate in the north east corner, one enters the northern section of the meadow - an enclave of tranquillity. The meadow is at its narrowest at this point, with mature trees on all sides. The land then stretches out in a southerly direction, broadening as it goes, until you arrive in an expansive section of meadow which almost dog-legs to the right out towards the west. Towards the western edge, the land drops away before you offering spectacular views out across Painswick Valley. The view from this section of the meadow is really quite special. There is a permissive footpath which arcs around a section of the western boundary from Frith Wood to neighbouring land.

Frith Meadow presents a rare opportunity to secure a substantial parcel of diversified grassland in an enviable location. Sitting atop of the hill between the Slad and Painswick Valleys in Gloucestershire, this wildflower meadow enjoys impressive views and is a haven for wildlife, and could be augmented further with a sympathetic planting scheme.

The purchasers of the land will be asked to enter into a covenant to ensure the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of adjoining woodlands and meadows.