Benty Grange facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Benty Grange Farm
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| Area of Search | Derbyshire |
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| Area | 21.1 hectares (0.2110 km2; 0.08147 sq mi) |
| Notification | 19 June 2012 |
Benty Grange is a very special place in Derbyshire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its amazing nature.
The area is about 21.1 ha (52 acres) big. It has a rare type of grassland with many different kinds of plants and grasses. This makes it one of the most important natural areas in the Peak District National Park. It officially became an SSSI in March 2013.
Benty Grange is also home to an ancient Anglo-Saxon burial mound, called a barrow. This barrow is also protected as a scheduled monument. In 1848, a man named Thomas Bateman explored it. He found many valuable items, including the famous Benty Grange helmet. Experts believe the barrow still holds many secrets.
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What Makes Benty Grange Special?
Benty Grange is a 21.1 ha (52 acres) area of grassland. It's located in the Monyash parish in Derbyshire. This land is looked after by two owners, David Woolley and Mark Allen. It partly surrounds the Benty Grange farmhouse.
A Home for Rare Plants
The grassland at Benty Grange is very special. It's called "unimproved species-rich neutral lowland grassland." This means it's a natural meadow that hasn't been changed by farming or chemicals. It has many different types of plants.
Some of the grasses you can find here include Cynosurus cristatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, and Festuca rubra. There are also many other interesting plants. These include Centaurea nigra (knapweed), Ranunculus acris (meadow buttercup), Ranunculus bulbosus (bulbous buttercup), Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain), Trifolium pratense (red clover), Leucanthemum vulgare (ox-eye daisy), Lotus corniculatus (bird's-foot trefoil), Hypochaeris radicata (cat's-ear), Rumex acetosa (common sorrel), and Conopodium majus (pignut).
The area was first suggested as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in June 2012. It was officially confirmed in March 2013.
The Ancient Burial Mound
Benty Grange also has an Anglo-Saxon barrow. This is an ancient burial mound. It was made a scheduled monument on October 23, 1970. This means it's a very important historical site that is protected by law.
What Does the Barrow Look Like?
The barrow has three main parts. In the middle, there's a mound about .6 m (2 ft) high and 15 m (49 ft) wide. Around this mound, there's a ditch (called a fosse) about .3 m (1 ft) deep and 1 m (3.3 ft) wide. Outside the ditch, there are outer banks. These banks are about .2 m (0.66 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) wide. The whole barrow together is about 23 by 22 m (75 by 72 ft).
Discoveries Inside the Mound
On May 3, 1848, an English expert on old things, Thomas Bateman, dug into the barrow. He found a very rich burial site. Among the treasures he discovered were the famous Benty Grange helmet and the Benty Grange hanging bowl. These items tell us a lot about the Anglo-Saxon people who lived here long ago.
Even after Bateman's dig, experts believe that most of the barrow is still "undisturbed." This means it likely holds many more important archaeological remains. Further study could teach us even more about this ancient site.
