Huntingdon Town Web

Portholme Water Meadow

At 104 hectares (257 acres) Portholme is probably the largest ancient water meadow in the United Kingdom. It was granted a charter of Common Rights by King John in 1212 and today is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

King John's charter prevented the area being divided, developed or enclosed and also imposed strict rules to its use. Animals were not allowed onto the ground until "Stocking Day", 13th May.

The land has been used for some other historic activities being used for the construction and testing of Bleriot Airplanes by Portholme Aerodrome Ltd. in the early 1900's and also as a Royal Flying Corps training station in the First World War (1914-1918). Today this association with the air can still be experienced as this large uninterrupted area is ideal for Kite flying!

Map of Portholme Meadow

Window width - 2 km
Source data - 1:25,000 Scale Colour Raster
Grid reference at centre - TL 236 707 GB Grid
Image reproduced with permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

NOTE: Over the coming months we will be expanding this section as and when we are able to take photographs of the wild flowers on the meadow.