Stone Town Council – A spotight on Crown Meadow

Stone Town Councillor Robert Townsend, Chairman of Stone Town Council’s Environment Sub-Committee, shares “An introduction to Crown Meadow – Stone’s hidden natural gem“

Stone Town Council proudly owns and manages Crown Meadow, a picturesque area nestled between the River Trent, the Trent & Mersey Canal, and Scotch Brook, at the very core of Stone. This natural floodplain is enhanced by managed wetland scrapes thriving with native flora, insects and birds. At the northern end, you will find the Crown Meadow amphitheatre, which offers seating for visitors and offers space for events, along with the Anglers Car Park, catering to those coming to explore the meadow. The area is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it an integral part of the Trent Valley wildlife corridor. With its footpaths and seating areas, Crown Meadow provides a peaceful haven for both residents and visitors, inviting all to immerse themselves in this beautiful, tranquil setting.

At Crown Meadow, management efforts are focused on maintaining the meadows, with the goal of recreating a flourishing natural habitat.
Key tasks include the annual summer hay cut and seasonal mowing, both of which help promote the meadow’s growth. Additionally, the wetland scrapes demonstrate the meadow’s ability to hold water – an important feature that could become increasingly valuable for flood defence in the future. An important part of the meadow is its two disabled access points – one from the Anglers car park and the other via a footbridge from Stafford Road.

The History of Crown Meadow

Crown Meadow, as it stands today, has a captivating history that spans several centuries. Its earliest known reference dates to the War of the Roses, a period of intense civil conflict in England. In 1485, prior to the Battle of Bosworth, Sir William Stanley and his army camped on the meadow alongside the River Trent. This strategic location offered an ideal spot for Stanley and his troops to rest and prepare for the pivotal battle that would ultimately decide the fate of the English throne.

Once known as Antelope Field, the Meadow was part of the land owned by the Antelope Inn, which was located at the bottom of the High Street. In 1889, John Joule and Sons purchased Antelope Field and renamed it Crown Meadow, which they used to exercise horses for the Crown Hotel. The meadow remained privately owned until 1976, when it was acquired by the Town Council.

In more recent years, Crown Meadow was planted with a variety of marsh plants to enhance the effectiveness of the scrapes. This initiative, led by a group of dedicated volunteers, brought the community together in creating a vibrant and welcoming natural space.

Summer in the Meadow

As summer approaches, Crown Meadow comes alive with a rich diversity of plants and wildlife. For more details, including information on the various tree, flower, and animal species, visit the Stone Town Council website, which features captivating photography. Among the many creatures to spot are the small but elegant Chiffchaffs. These summer migrants breed in the meadow before heading to warmer regions in the autumn. Chiffchaffs build their nests close to the ground in dense vegetation, typically laying five to six eggs in May or June. The eggs hatch in about two weeks, and the young chicks fledge two weeks after that.

As summer settles in, it’s the perfect time to spot the striking Kingfisher. These impressive birds are most visible during and after their breeding season, from April to August, when they’re more active and on the hunt to feed their growing brood. A pair of kingfishers can catch up to 100 small fish a day to keep their young well-fed and thriving.

Crown Meadow Spotlight

At Stone Town Council, we are excited to introduce this first of an ongoing series of features dedicated to Crown Meadow. This series will highlight the continuous habitat restoration projects taking place, the diverse flora and fauna that call the meadow home, and the ongoing improvements being made to enhance the area in collaboration with Dr. David Emley, who provided expert guidance and contributed photography. Keep an eye out for regular updates as we share the latest efforts to preserve and celebrate this beautiful natural space.

For more information on Crown Meadow
Visit www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk/about
Crown Meadow – Anglers Car Park
What 3 Words – resembles.goggle.originate
Sat Nav – ST15 0GY

There is other parking available in the town, details can be found
www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk/car-parking