Once common across the North Pennines, such meadows are now found only in some Yorkshire and Durham dales, and in a very few parts of Northumberland, their loss arising out of contemporary farming methods including the use of inorganic fertiliser and reliance on silage-making.

[3][4] The meadows are characterised by sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and an abundance of herbs including several lady’s mantle species Alchemilla spp., wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), hay rattle (Rhinanthus minor), self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) and pignut (Conopodium majus).

Other species found include crested dog’s tail (Cynosurus cristatus), downy oat grass (Avenula pubescens), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), field woodrush (Luzula campestris), pale sedge (Carex pallescens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense).

[2] On a steep incline at the eastern edge of the site is found hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) scrub and the common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), cat’s ear (Hypochoeris radicata), bitter vetch (Lathyrus montanus), water avens (Geum rivale) and bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta).

[2] The condition of Aules Hill Meadows was judged to be unfavourable-recovering in 2012, in a report noting that a previously observed shortfall in the herb-to-grass ratio appeared to have recovered to a satisfactory 81%.