Along the Roof of England Walk, you will come across the now very rare and special upland hay meadows. The North Pennines is home to many of these important habitats; more than 40% of the total remaining in England.
These fields with their abundant wildflowers in spring and summer (before the hay is cut) are a product of an age-old system of high nature value farming that is still carried out in the North Pennines. Though it might not be obvious, hay is a crop and should be treated as such. When crossing a hay meadow, always walk in single file on the obvious definitive line of the path, especially when the sward is growing before it is cut. Pick up any dog poo and dispose of it responsibly.
