Bradford Kames facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°34′58″N 1°44′38″W / 55.582893°N 1.743836°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 139.4 hectares (340 acres) |
| Notification | 1969 |
| Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Bradford Kames is a special place in north Northumberland, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its unique natural features. Bradford Kames is actually a long, winding ridge called an esker. Eskers are formed by glaciers, which are like huge rivers of ice. This particular esker was made during the Pleistocene epoch, which was a very long time ago when much of the Earth was covered in ice.
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What is Bradford Kames?
Bradford Kames is a great example of how the land changed when the last big ice sheet melted. Imagine a giant ice river flowing across the land. Inside the ice, rivers would flow too, carrying sand and gravel. When the ice melted, these riverbeds of sand and gravel were left behind as long, winding hills. That's what an esker is!
Where is it located?
Bradford Kames is found in the north-east of England, in the county of Northumberland. It's about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of the coastal town of Seahouses.
What does it look like?
The site is made up of a main ridge and some smaller mounds. It stretches for about 1.75 miles (2.8 km) from north-north-west to south-south-east. The ground gently slopes downwards towards the east. This shape helps scientists understand how the ancient ice sheets melted and moved.
Wildlife at Bradford Kames
At the northern end of Bradford Kames, there's a pond called Spindlestones Pond. This pond is a home for some amazing creatures, including the great crested newt. These newts are a protected species, and their presence shows how important this natural habitat is.
How is it protected?
Bradford Kames was officially made a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1969. This protection helps make sure its unique geological features and wildlife are kept safe for the future. In 2011, experts checked the site and found it to be in "favourable condition," meaning it's well-preserved and healthy.
