Binswood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 62.5 hectares (154 acres) |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Binswood is a special natural area in Hampshire, England. It covers about 62.5 hectares (which is like 154 acres) of beautiful land. This area is located southeast of the town of Alton. Binswood is so important for its nature that it has been officially named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because of its unique plants, animals, or geology.
What Makes Binswood Special?
Binswood is a very important place for nature. It is mainly made up of natural grassland that hasn't been changed much by humans. You can also find scattered trees and areas of thick woodland here. Some of the oldest trees in Binswood might even be 200 years old!
A Look Back: The Royal Forest
Binswood is actually a small part of what used to be a much larger area called the Royal Forest of Woolmer. A Royal Forest wasn't just a place with trees. It was a special area of land owned by the King or Queen. These areas were often used for hunting deer and other animals. Binswood helps us imagine what these old Royal Forests might have looked like.
How Binswood is Cared For
Even today, Binswood is managed like a traditional wood. It still has something called "common rights of grazing." This means that local people have the right to let their animals, like cows or sheep, graze (eat grass) in certain parts of the wood. This way of managing land, called "wood pasture," is now very rare. It helps keep the habitat healthy and open for different plants and animals.
Binswood is also a registered common land. This means it's land that local people have traditional rights over. There are public footpaths that cross through Binswood, so people can visit and enjoy its natural beauty.
