Benington High Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Hertfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 20.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Benington High Wood is a special natural area in Benington, Hertfordshire. It covers about 20.7 hectares, which is like 20 large football fields! This wood is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short. This means it's a very important place for nature and wildlife.
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What Makes Benington High Wood Special?
Benington High Wood is an ancient woodland. This means it has been a forest for hundreds of years, possibly since the year 1600! These old woods are very important because they have unique plants and animals that can't be found just anywhere.
A Home for Unique Trees
Natural England, an organization that protects nature, says this wood is one of the best examples in Hertfordshire of a certain type of forest. It's mainly filled with pedunculate oak trees and hornbeam trees. You might also spot field maple and hazel shrubs growing here.
Rich Plant Life
The wood is also home to many different kinds of plants growing on the ground. You'll find even more types of plants in the open areas, like clearings or along the paths. This rich variety of plants helps make the wood a great home for many insects and other creatures.
Visiting Benington High Wood
If you want to explore this amazing ancient woodland, you can! There's a public footpath that lets you walk through the wood. You can find this path between Walkern Road and Lordship Farm. It's a great place to connect with nature and see some of Hertfordshire's oldest trees.
