THE ancient haymeadows of Northumberland National Park are in full bloom now.

Meadows with hundreds of flowers can be seen in the Upper Coquet Valley, in the North Tyne Valley and at Greenlee Lough National Nature Reserve, north of Hadrian’s Wall.

Upland hay meadows are internationally rare, and Northumberland National Park has some of the best in Europe.

At Barrowburn Farm, in the Cheviots, the meadows include wood cranesbill and the white umbels of pignut, among many other species of flower, grass and moss. The variety – commonly more than 25 species per square metre – creates an ideal habitat for hundreds of insects, bees and butterflies that nourish birds, such as meadow pipits and skylarks, swallows and martins, wheatears and the rare ring ouzel.

Barrowburn is the one of the prettiest locations, with the Coquet still a clear mountain stream as it runs past the farmhouse door.

Here, with only the sounds of nature for company, is a delightful farmhouse tea room serving homemade cakes and local ice cream. The farm also offers accommodation, with a holiday cottage and a camping barn.