Ashdown Park facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 9.3 hectares (23 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Ashdown Park is a special place in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 9.3 hectares (which is about 23 acres). This area is known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's located south of a village called Ashbury.
Ashdown Park is actually part of the bigger parkland around Ashdown House. It's a protected area because of the amazing natural features found there.
Contents
Why is Ashdown Park Special?
Ashdown Park has been chosen as an SSSI because of the unique plants growing on its many large rocks. These rocks are called sarsen boulders.
What are Sarsen Boulders?
Sarsen boulders are huge, hard stones. They are natural rocks that were left behind by glaciers or ancient rivers. You can find them in different parts of southern England. At Ashdown Park, these boulders are home to some very important and rare living things.
The Importance of Lichens
The main reason Ashdown Park is protected is because of the lichens that grow on the sarsen boulders. Lichens are fascinating living things. They are actually a mix of two different organisms: a fungus and an alga (or sometimes a cyanobacterium) living together.
- Lichens grow very slowly. It can take hundreds of years for them to grow to a good size.
- They are very sensitive to pollution, so finding many different types of lichens means the air is clean.
- Some of the special lichens found here include Aspicilia caesiocinerea, Buellia saxorum, Candelariella coralliza, Rinodina atrocinerea, and Parmelia loxodes.
Protecting the Lichens
The parkland at Ashdown Park is kept in a special way to help the lichens survive. It is "heavily grazed," which means animals like sheep or cows eat the grass. This is important because:
- It stops tall plants and bushes from growing too much.
- If the grass grew too tall, it would shade the sarsen boulders.
- The lichens need sunlight to grow and thrive. By keeping the grass short, the park helps these ancient lichens get the light they need.
Visiting Ashdown Park
Ashdown Park is owned by the National Trust. The National Trust is a charity in the UK that looks after special places. They protect historic buildings, beautiful landscapes, and important natural sites.
Because the National Trust owns Ashdown Park, it is open for everyone to visit and enjoy. It's a great place to see unique rocks and learn about the tiny, slow-growing lichens that make this park so special.
