Wanlass Grasslands

Also within

North Yorkshire County YORKSHIRE DALES National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Fluvial, Glacial

Description

Area, 67.1 hectares 165.8 ac Description The grasslands of Low Wanlass Farm and Wanlass Park comprise a very important series of traditionally managed hay meadows and pastures supporting two grassland communities of particular significance as well as a strong population of the rare burnt orchid Neotinea ustulata. The grassland lie in the flood plain of the River Ure and across undulating glacial deposits including much calcareous drift. The burnt orchid, a nationally rare species, has declined considerably in recent years. In North Yorkshire it is found at the edge of its range and is known from only eight localities. The large population at Wanlass is considered to be significant to the conservation of the species. Greenwinged orchid Anacamptis morio, another uncommon plant, is also found in these meadows. There is an interesting range of semi natural grassland communities which vary according to the base status of wetness of the soil as well as with the detail of grazing and cutting management. Within both the meadows and pastures there is a mosaic of two main plant communities. One is of a calcareous nature and is characterised by sheep's fescue Festuca ovina and meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis, with species like salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, thyme Thymus praecox, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium and hoary plantain Plantago media. The second, more neutral grassland community has a high frequency of the grasses crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus, red fescue Festuca rubra and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, with bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, some common knapweed Centaurea nigra and locally much salad burnet, yellow oat grass Trisetum flavescens, pignut Conopodium majus and glaucous sedge Carex flacca. Other plants of note in the meadows include adder's tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor and common twayblade Neottia ovata with kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria on the more calcareous banks. In other areas the interest includes local concentrations of common milkwort Polygala vulgaris, moonwort Botrychium lunaria, common rest-harrow Ononis repens, cowslip Primula veris and betony Betonica officinalis. One field supports a distinct northern meadow community characterised by lady's mantle Alchemilla spp, pignut and wood crane's bill Geranium sylvaticum. Overall it is the large areas of generally rich and diverse grassland that are of outstanding importance. Local wetter patches and small areas of native shrubs and trees along field boundaries and on banks add to the overall interest as does the abundance of ant hills in parts of Wanlass Park. Other Information Part of this site was previously notified under the name 'Wanlass Meadows'.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities