The Water Meadow at Thyme are a very special place. As your stroll through the long grasses, buttercups and wild flowers, the air is filled with the heady scent of wild water mint.
Sitting here, you can hear the call of the reed warbler. These small, buff-coloured birds weigh about 13 grams and are easily missed unless you know what to look for. Migrating from sub-Saharan Africa during the summer months, reed warblers form monogamous pairs building their nests rather like hammocks between the reeds that flourish on the banks of the River Leach.
“Having lived here for years, we hadn’t fully appreciated our feathery visitors in such detail until we became involved with the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird ringing project. This revealed an astonishing diversity of wildlife and so clearly demonstrated just how important our wild spaces are for nature's diversity. The fact that these birds had flown many thousands of miles to spend the summer in England and breed here in our water meadows enthralled us. And they are not the only ones: the hobby (one of Britain’s smallest raptors), martins, swallows, swifts and cuckoos all join them on their long flight.
It was a moment when we realised that in conserving these habitats and helping them thrive at Thyme, we support wildlife at home and far away. There is a golden thread that joins us to far flung places - the forests of the Congo, the wetlands of the Okavango or the arid grasslands of South Africa. How wonderful is that?” - Caryn Hibbert
The Wildflower Meadow Walk at Thyme
Each Sunday morning, during late Spring and Summer, founder and creative director Caryn Hibbert leads an immersive walk through the rich biodiversity of the Water Meadows at Thyme.
Set within thoughtfully restored farmland, Thyme’s meadows are a brilliant example of ecological restoration. During the warmer months, these wildflower-rich grasslands come alive with oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), and orchids (orchidaceae), supporting an intricate web of pollinators, insects, and birds.
Learn from Caryn about the science behind meadow ecology and how Thyme’s sustainable land management practices - such as mowing and traditional hay-cutting - help protect these fragile ecosystems. This immersive walk is not just a feast for the senses, but a living lesson in the beauty and resilience of nature.
For Thyme residents only. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Book your place through reservations or email reservations@thyme.co.uk.
Learn more about this beautiful wild space at Thyme
Patterns of Nature: Water Meadow Interiors
“Through pattern and scent, you can be immersed in stories of the land as well as surrounding yourself with beautiful things. The Bird Hide brings a love of nature together with my passion for English country design.”
- Caryn Hibbert
Our patterns and scent transport you to the wild, created from carefully observed botanical water colours they are the embodiment of English country house style and create interiors that are calm, nurturing and beautiful.
