Barrington Hill Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 50°56′53″N 2°59′52″W / 50.94817°N 2.99783°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 16.1 hectares (0.161 km2; 0.062 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1987 |
Barrington Hill Meadows is a very special place in Somerset, England. It's a large area of land, about 16.1 hectares (which is like 40 football fields!), that has been protected since 1987. It's known as a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI) and also a 'National Nature Reserve' because of its amazing plants and natural beauty.
You can find Barrington Hill Meadows about 2 kilometers west of the A358 road. It's located between the small villages of Windmill Hill and Bickenhall.
Contents
What Makes Barrington Hill Meadows Special?
Barrington Hill Meadows is made up of four grassy fields, called meadows. These meadows are surrounded by old, well-grown hedges. The ground here is gently sloped and has soil rich in clay.
A Rare Type of Grassland
This area is a fantastic example of a traditional grassland. This type of grassland is very rare in Britain today. It has been managed in a natural way for a long time, meaning it hasn't been changed by modern farming methods.
Amazing Plants
The meadows are home to many different kinds of plants. So far, 74 different plant species have been found here! Some of the common plants you might see include:
- Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
- Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus)
- Cowslip (Primula veris)
- Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio)
The Super Rare Grass
One of the most exciting things about Barrington Hill Meadows is a super rare grass called Gaudinia fragilis. This site is one of only three places in all of Britain where this grass grows in large amounts. It makes the meadows even more unique and important to protect!
