Blagdon's Meadow is situated to the south and east of Tothill Park and is the area of land that runs south west to north east
located across the Embankment (built 1802) and running parallel with the bank of the river.
Until the 1970s the site of 'Blagdon’s Meadow' was part of the western shore of the River Plym. The land was reclaimed
partly to re-locate an established boatyard owned by A S Blagdon & Sons. Blagdon’s were based on the Laira and road
widening destroyed their Laira Green boatyard.
At the same time it was decided to create a new public park on the waterfront. This was originally called the
Embankment Public Open Space - now re-named 'Blagdon’s Meadow'. 'Blagdon’s Meadow' is a larger triangular plot that
still includes a 6-acre boatyard site to the south, now operated by Plymouth Yacht Havens. An old railway embankment,
built in the 1890s, forms the southern boundary. The natural headland at Arnold’s Point and Point Quay marks the north
ern ‘tip’ of the site.
Further information on the history and natural history of 'Blagdon's Meadow' and its environs is in the process of
being prepared for display on site by Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery and the Devon Wildlife Trust, with the help
of Plymouth City Libraries and pupils at Prince Rock School. The forthcoming graphics and other heritage work exploring
the Laira and its shores, plus recent landscaping improvements at Blagdon's Meadow and along the A374, have all been
funded by an initiative led and supported by Plymouth City Council, with the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund and
Plymouth SRB Partnership.
The meadow was originally formed from the dredgings from the Plym and now includes areas of well-drained, damp and
marshy grassland and some scrub. A number of new features have been added to the meadow including a natural stone
Devon bank, cycle parking and a viewing area on the waterside complete with heavy-duty granite benches. A dog bin has
also been installed to encourage dog walkers to use the site responsibly.
Populations of plants including the county flower of Bedfordshire - Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) and the
latest-blooming native species of orchid - Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) can be found here and the
site also provides a good habitat for invertebrates and seed eating birds.
Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)
© BerndH
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Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis)
© Jeffdelonge
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As well as providing a site for informal recreation the meadow has been used as an outdoor classroom and recreation
centre and to host a variety of interpretive events such as walks and talks.
Portions of this text are reproduced with permission of Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery and Plymouth City Council
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