Aules Hill Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°52′02″N 2°31′06″W / 54.867331°N 2.518450°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 12.26 hectares (30 acres) |
| Notification | 1992 |
| Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Aules Hill Meadows is a special place in Northumberland, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important area for nature. Since 1992, this site has protected four traditional hay meadows. These types of meadows are now quite rare in Northumberland.
What is Aules Hill Meadows?
Aules Hill Meadows is found in the north-east of England. It's in the far south-west part of Northumberland. The meadows are about 0.56 miles (0.90 km) west of Slaggyford. They are also 4.86 miles (7.82 km) north-north-west of Alston.
These meadows sit on the west side of the River South Tyne valley. They are about 270 metres (890 ft) above sea level. This makes them a unique habitat.
Why are these meadows special?
Aules Hill Meadows is a great example of a traditional hay meadow. These meadows are very rare in Northumberland now. They used to be common across the North Pennines.
But modern farming methods have changed things. Using chemical fertilisers and making silage has caused many meadows to disappear. Silage is a type of stored animal feed.
Because of this, places like Aules Hill Meadows are protected. Other similar protected hay meadows in Northumberland include Barrow Meadow and Barrow Burn Meadows.
Plants and Flowers at Aules Hill Meadows
The meadows are full of different plants. You'll find sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) here. There are also many herbs. These include several lady’s mantle species (Alchemilla spp.).
Other common plants are wood cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum). You can also spot ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), hay rattle (Rhinanthus minor), and self-heal (Prunella vulgaris). Pignut (Conopodium majus) is another plant found here.
More interesting plants
Look for crested dog’s tail (Cynosurus cristatus) and downy oat grass (Avenula pubescens). Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and field woodrush (Luzula campestris) also grow here. You might see pale sedge (Carex pallescens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense).
Plants in damp areas
Some parts of the meadows are damp. These wet spots are home to special plants. You can find ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) and great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis).
Northern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella) loves these damp areas. Devil’s bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) and marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) also grow here. Marsh ragwort (Senecio jacobea) and carnation-grass (Carex panicea) complete the list.
Plants on the hillside
On a steep slope at the eastern edge of the site, you'll find more plants. There's hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) bushes. You can also see the common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).
Other plants on the slope include cat’s ear (Hypochoeris radicata). Bitter vetch (Lathyrus montanus), water avens (Geum rivale), and bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) add to the beauty.
How the meadows are doing
In 2012, experts checked the health of Aules Hill Meadows. They found it was "unfavourable-recovering." This means it was getting better. A report noted that the balance of herbs to grass was improving. It had reached a good level of 81%. This shows the meadows are being well cared for.
