Blackcap, East Sussex facts for kids
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Blackcap is a beautiful countryside area in East Sussex, England. It's located on the top of the South Downs hills, near a village called Plumpton. This special place is looked after by the National Trust, which is a charity that protects important natural and historical sites.
Blackcap is also part of a larger area called the Clayton to Offham Escarpment SSSI. This means it's a very important place for nature and wildlife. The area includes three main parts: the Blackcap hill itself (which is about 206 meters high), Mount Harry (about 196 meters high), and a wooded area called Ashcombe Bottom.
You can enjoy great walks at Blackcap! You can start low down by the road and then climb up to the top of the ridge. From there, you'll get amazing views looking south across the landscape. The flatter parts of Blackcap have open ground with chalk paths. You'll also see lots of dense bushes, which are perfect homes for many songbirds like blue tits and common chaffinches. As you go higher, the land becomes a bit steeper with scattered trees. The very top of Blackcap is wide open, with patches of pine trees and spiky gorse bushes. There's even a special marker called a triangulation point at the summit.
Wildlife at Blackcap
The fields around Blackcap are often grazed by sheep, helping to keep the grass short. The hillsides can be quite rough, so special Exmoor ponies are sometimes brought in to graze there. These ponies are very good at eating tough plants.
As you explore Blackcap, you might see Carrion crows flying high above. The bushy areas are also home to many rabbits. If you visit when it's quiet, you might even spot shy Roe deer. They often come out to graze, using the thick bushes for cover and protection.
Images for kids
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The peak of Blackcap
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Bridleway crossing on the slope of Blackcap - geograph.org.uk - 1769476
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Beacon on Mount Harry - geograph.org.uk - 2045198
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Plaque on Blackcap - geograph.org.uk - 1770519
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Ponies a long way from home - geograph.org.uk - 1770528
