Lingwood Churchyard

Parish: Lingwood Burlingham

Access Parking: The churchyard of St. Peter is located to the northwest of the village of Lingwood. It is easily accessible from the A47 at North Burlingham via Lingwood Lane. If visiting by car, parking is available in the Lingwood Parish Council Cemetery car park. Alternatively it is only a short walk from Lingwood Railway Station, approximately 600 m beyond Lingwood Pond.

Habitats: Lowland grassland.

Main Conservation Interest: Meadow flora.

Conservation Status: Included in the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Churchyard Conservation Scheme.

Management: In the care of Lingwood PCC. Managed by BADCOG since 1992 in collaboration with the PCC and NWT.

Description: Lingwood Churchyard conservation area is small (approximately 15 m x 30 m) taking up most of the southeast corner of the churchyard. Its eastern boundary is marked with a bank, lined with both mature and recently planted oaks. In the centre of the site there is a well established yew. The area is marked with signs indicating that it is part of the NWT churchyard conservation scheme. One main work party takes place annually, with supplementary work carried out before and after (pre- cut and clearance of vegetation). The annual mowing regime has made a small impact on improving this area, allowing the more delicate wildflowers to flourish. Bluebells and ox-eye daisies are on the increase, whilst harebell and lady’s bedstraw are still present. Toads, bank voles and hawk moths have been recorded during work parties and bees’ nests are a constant hazard. Pipistrelle bats have also been detected using the BADCOG bat detector. The rest of the churchyard is cut regularly by parishioners and the whole churchyard is surrounded by mature trees and hedgerows, offering good nesting areas for birds.

NWT carried out a wildlife survey of Lingwood Churchyard in 2010.