New mindful meadow opens near Felin Puleston in Wrexham
The project is designed to help people connect with nature while supporting wildlife and environmental goals.
Katie Rees-Jones, volunteer and community officer at Erddig, said: "It has been important for us to work together with community groups who will access the space to ensure we create somewhere that meets their needs along with those of the wider public.
"We all need to find some respite at times from the pressures of daily life and the mindful meadow gives everyone the opportunity to find some space, beauty and peace."
The meadow was created over 18 months by Erddig's ranger, volunteer, and community teams in collaboration with groups including Chester National Trust volunteers, Erddig Youth Club, Erddig Grow, Stepping Stones, We Mind the Gap, Wrexham Young Carers, Kim Inspire, Adferiad, and Ysgol Clywedog.
A once-overgrown area has been transformed into an accessible space for relaxation and exploration.
The team restored 250 metres of pathway and planted around 40 native trees, including oak, rowan, and field maple.
Hedgerows of hawthorn and spindle now line the site.
Two hectares of meadow have been revived, with one section reseeded using a conservation mix of wildflowers such as yellow rattle, eyebright, yarrow and red clover to attract birds and pollinators. The other section has been scarified, cut, and left to regenerate naturally.
At the centre of the meadow stands a steel and stone sculpture by artist David Setter.
The artwork by David Setter in the Mindful Meadow at Erddig, Wrexham (Image: National Trust Images Paul Harris)
The artwork, made of stacked positivity rocks, symbolises community support and the power of place to uplift individuals.
The site is free to enter and open daily from dawn until dusk.
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Steven Dorsett, area ranger for Erddig, said: "With over 97 per cent of the UK's hay meadows lost since the 1930s, protecting and restoring these habitats has never been more urgent.
"Hay meadows are vital for biodiversity, supporting a rich variety of wildflowers, pollinators and endangered species.
"They also play a key role in improving soil health, capturing carbon and sustaining traditional farming practices.
"Beyond its ecological value, this mindful meadow offers a peaceful space for people to reconnect with nature, and we look forward to the community using it."
The project was made possible through funding from the Welsh Government's Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
National Trust Cymru also partnered with Public Health Wales's Hapus project, which promotes mental wellbeing across Wales.
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