Meadow Makers

Restoring wildflower meadows across Dorset

The wildflower meadows are vital habitats and seedbanks for meadow restoration projects throughout West Dorset. Featured in Sir David Attenborough’s Wild Isles series, these meadows sustain diverse wildlife and inspire countless visitors.

Each summer, the meadows feed the wildlife that thrives here, and in winter, their precious seeds are harvested and sown far and wide to ensure the survival of this extraordinary habitat.

The heart of meadow restoration

Hogchester is a hub for meadow restoration in West Dorset, providing the infrastructure to harvest, dry, and store wildflower seeds. We work with Dorset Wildlife Trust and local landowners, sharing resources and offering advice to support the creation of new wildflower meadows.

Our work includes:

  • Seed harvesting using a brush harvester and hand tools.
  • Drying and sieving seeds in our dedicated seed-handling area.
  • Ground preparation using spring tines.
  • Supporting volunteers in sowing meadows across the region.

Do you want to create your own wildflower meadow? Read our Meadow Makers Guide below for practical advice and inspiration.

Watch our Meadow Makers video

Discover the story of Hogchester’s wildflower meadows and the vital role they play in conserving Dorset’s natural heritage.

Download our Meadow Makers Guide 

Resources for your project

We provide advice, equipment, and practical support to help you restore or create your own wildflower meadow.

Our resources include:

  1. A brush harvester for large-scale seed collection.

  2. Hand harvesting tools for precision work.

  3. A covered seed drying and handling facility.

  4. Seed sieving equipment for cleaning and sorting.

  5. Spring tines for ground preparation.

  6. A team of volunteers to assist with sowing.

  Download our Meadow Makers PDF Guide

 rob@hogchester.com

 ngray@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Supporting our work

Our meadow restoration project holds charitable status and is funded through grants and donations. We are grateful for the longstanding support of:

  • Dorset Council through the ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ programme.
  • Dorset Wildlife Trust for leadership and collaboration.
  • Hogchester Conservation Trust for funding via GivingWorks.

Help us continue this important work by making a gift-aidable donation.

Donate to Hogchester Conservation Trust

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