Rycote Meadow Conservation Project

Rycote Meadow, bordered by the Cuttle Brook on its eastern side and by Oxford Road on the south, is a rare remnant of precious floodplain meadow, home to a rich variety of plant species and the animals that depend upon them. A number of conservationists and conservation bodies such as the River Thame Conservation Trust, Wild Oxfordshire, the Cuttle Brook Local Nature Reserve and the RSPB have commented on the importance of the site.

Thame Green Living worked with Thame Town Council and Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers to help protect the site for the future.

First steps

Initial work included the enhancement of the important area of hedging along the western side of the Meadow to provide even more protection for wildlife – birds and the invertebrates on which they feed principally – interspersed with trees of a modest size to contribute more habitat and variety. The hedging and trees are all native species indigenous to Oxfordshire.

A new Wetland Scrape

In June 2024 Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers created a new wetland scrape within the meadow to maintain a more aquatic nature conducive to smaller creatures and plants. This is not a pond as such and will not directly link to the Cuttle Brook itself.

A new footpath

In 2025 a new footpath was constructed to give new public access from Oxford Road to the rear of the site. This links to the Thame Meadows Estate and gives footpath access to the River Thame beyond.

The path was installed to enable local people to enjoy this tranquil natural space, which will remain, however, primarily a conservation area for wildlife, protected by a fence designed to prevent disturbance of birds, aquatic life and the delicate eco-system on which they depend.

Part of Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve

Rycote Meadow is now a part of the Nature reserve and will be managed by CBCV from this point on.

With thanks to

Advice on conservation work was received from the River Thame Conservation Trust and Wild Oxfordshire, and it builds upon the extensive experience of CBCV, who manage the Cuttle Brook Local Nature Reserve.

This project has been supported by the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment with funding from Section 106 funds and the Community Infrastructure Levy, as well as by Section 106 funds generated from the Thame Meadows development on Oxford Road, Thame.