Appleton Lower Common facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 47.3 hectares (117 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Appleton Lower Common is a special natural area located west of Appleton in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 47.3 hectares (which is roughly the size of 70 football fields!). This common is officially recognized as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique plants and animals.
Contents
What Makes Appleton Lower Common Special?
Appleton Lower Common is a really important place for nature. It's known for its beautiful woodland, which has many different kinds of broadleaved trees. The ground here is made of something called Oxford Clay, which is a type of soil that helps certain plants grow very well.
A Home for Amazing Plants
The woodland at Appleton Lower Common has lots of open spaces called 'rides' and 'glades'. These sunny spots allow a wide variety of plants to thrive. You can find many interesting species here, such as:
- Primrose
- Goldilocks buttercup
- Early purple orchid
- Twayblade
- Wood anemone
These plants add to the beauty and biodiversity of the common.
Rare Animals Live Here Too
It's not just plants that make this place special! Appleton Lower Common is also home to some rare insects. One of the most notable is the club-tailed dragonfly. This amazing insect is quite rare, and finding it here shows how healthy and important this natural habitat is.
Visiting Appleton Lower Common
Even though Appleton Lower Common is private land, you can still explore parts of it! There are two public footpaths that cross through the common. These paths allow people to enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the unique wildlife that lives there. It's a great place to go for a walk and connect with nature.
