Burbage Wood and Aston Firs facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 51.1 hectares |
| Notification | 1983 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Burbage Wood and Aston Firs is a special natural area in Leicestershire, England. It covers about 51.1 hectares, which is like 126 football fields! This area is important because it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest, often called an SSSI.
These woods are home to many different plants and animals. They are known for their beautiful trees like ash and oak. You can also find shrubs like hazel and hawthorn. In spring, the ground is covered with lovely flowers such as sweet woodruff and water avens.
Part of this area, Burbage Wood, is open to the public. This means you can visit and explore its natural beauty. However, Aston Firs is private land.
Burbage Wood is also part of a bigger area called Burbage Common and Woods. This larger area is an 85-hectare Local Nature Reserve. It's managed by the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. They work hard to protect nature here and make sure people can enjoy it as a park.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a special place in the UK. It is protected by law because it has important wildlife, plants, or geology. These sites are like natural treasures!
The government protects SSSIs to make sure their unique features are safe. This helps to keep rare plants and animals from disappearing. Burbage Wood and Aston Firs was named an SSSI in 1983.
What Makes These Woods Special?
The woods at Burbage and Aston are called "semi-natural." This means they have grown mostly on their own. However, they have also been shaped by human activities over many years.
The soil here can be quite wet, which is perfect for certain types of trees. Ash and oak trees are the main types you'll see. They grow tall and strong, providing homes for many creatures.
Underneath the tall trees, there's a layer of smaller plants. You might spot hazel bushes with their tasty nuts. Hawthorn trees are also common, known for their pretty white flowers in spring.
On the ground, you'll find a variety of wildflowers. Sweet woodruff has tiny white flowers and a lovely scent. Water avens have nodding orange-red flowers. These plants add to the beauty and biodiversity of the woods.
Burbage Common and Woods: A Local Nature Reserve
Burbage Wood is part of a larger area known as Burbage Common and Woods. This whole area is an 85-hectare Local Nature Reserve (LNR). An LNR is a place that is important for wildlife and for people to enjoy nature.
The Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council owns and manages this reserve. They make sure the area is looked after. This includes protecting the plants and animals that live there. They also make sure it's a nice place for people to visit.
The "Common" part of the name refers to the heath-grassland. This type of land used to be very common in the area. It was historically "common land." This means that local people had certain rights to use the land. For example, they might have grazed their animals there.
Over time, much of this heathland disappeared. This happened because of changes in how land was used, especially in the 1800s. Burbage Common is a great example of this older landscape.
Visiting the Area
If you want to explore nature, Burbage Wood is a great place to go. It is open to the public, so you can walk along its paths. It's a wonderful spot for a quiet stroll or to observe wildlife.
Remember that Aston Firs is private land. Please respect the signs and do not enter private areas. Enjoy the parts of Burbage Wood that are open for everyone!
