Bricket Wood Common facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Path in Bricket Wood Common
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| Area of Search | Hertfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 70.0 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Bricket Wood Common is a large, special outdoor area. It covers about 70 hectares (that's like 170 football fields!). You can find it in Bricket Wood, a village in Hertfordshire, England. This common is so important that it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's a protected place because of its unique nature.
The common is looked after by the St Albans City and District Council. They work with the Countryside Management Service and the Bricket Wood Joint Management Committee to keep it healthy and open for everyone.
Contents
What Makes Bricket Wood Common Special?
Bricket Wood Common is a rare example of a lowland heath. Imagine an open, wild space with special plants. Much of this land has heavy clay soil, which means water doesn't drain away easily. This creates wet areas that are perfect for certain kinds of plants.
Different Types of Nature
Even though it's called a common, it has many different types of natural areas:
- Wet Habitats: These are areas where the soil stays wet. You might find special mosses here, like sphagnum. There are also several small ponds, which are home to many creatures.
- Ancient Woodland: This part of the common has very old trees. The main trees you'll see are oak and silver birch. Below these tall trees, there's a layer of smaller bushes, called the shrub layer. Here you'll find hornbeam and hazel plants.
- Dry Heath: In other parts, the land is drier. Here, you'll see plants like heather, purple moor-grass, and heath milkwort. These plants are specially adapted to grow in drier, open areas.
Visiting Bricket Wood Common
The common is split in two by the Abbey Line railway track. But don't worry, you can still explore both sides!
How to Get There
There are several easy ways to get onto the common. You can find access points from:
- Mount Pleasant Lane
- Bucknalls Drive
- School Lane
It's a great place to explore nature, go for a walk, and learn about different plants and animals.
