Brada Hill facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°35′57″N 1°44′42″W / 55.599293°N 1.745023°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 2.4 hectares (6 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Brada Hill is a small, special hill located near the coast in Northumberland, North East England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique plants and geology. The site is about 2.4 hectares (that's like 6 acres) and is made of a special type of rock called the Whin Sill. This rock creates thin, dry soil where a variety of interesting plants grow.
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Discover Brada Hill
Brada Hill is a small hill that was once quarried, meaning stone was taken from it. It's located about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) west-south-west of the coastal town of Bamburgh in Northumberland. You can also find it about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Budle Bay.
What Makes the Hill Special?
The hill has a clear, curved southern slope that drops from 77 meters (253 feet) to 65 meters (213 feet) above sea level. This slope shows off the Whin Sill rock, which is a type of stone called dolerite. This exposed rock and the thin, well-drained soil it creates are why Brada Hill is an SSSI. The special plants that love these dry conditions are the main focus of its protection.
Nearby Natural Spots
The land around Brada Hill is mostly farmland. Other special natural areas, like Spinglestone Heughs and Bradford Kames SSSIs, are also nearby. They are about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the west and south-west of Brada Hill.
Amazing Plants of Brada Hill
The slopes of Brada Hill are home to many plants that are perfect for thin, dry soil. These include beautiful flowers like maiden pink (Dianthus deltoides) and wild onion (Allium vineale).
Grasses and Small Flowers
You'll also find different types of grasses here, such as:
- red fescue (Festuca rubra)
- crested hair-grass (Koeleria macrantha)
- early hair-grass (Aira praecox)
Some smaller plants that grow here for just one year include:
- hare’s-foot clover (Trifolium arvense)
- knotted trefoil (T. striatum)
- forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.)
- dove’s-tail cranesbill (Geranium molle)
Perennial Plants
Plants that come back year after year (perennials) also thrive on Brada Hill. Some examples are:
- common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium)
- biting stonecrop (Sedum acre)
- meadow oat-grass (Avenula pratensis)
Plants in Deeper Soil
In a few spots where the soil is a bit deeper, you might see some taller grasses and herbs. These include:
- false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius)
- red campion (Silene dioica)
- hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
- common nettle (Urtica dioica)
Hilltop Flora
On the very top of the hill, among the slab rocks, you'll find heath pearlwort (Sagina subulata), along with more grasses, wild onion, and maiden pink. Even though Brada Hill is close to the sea, you won't find plants that usually grow right by the coast here.
In 2009, experts checked Brada Hill and said it was in a "favourable" condition. This means the special plants and habitat are doing well and are being looked after properly.
