Charleshill SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Surrey |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 10.1 hectares (25 acres) |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Charleshill SSSI is a special natural area in Surrey, England. It covers about 10.1 hectares (which is about 25 acres). This site is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it has unique plants and habitats.
Charleshill is located west of a village called Elstead. It is also part of a larger nature reserve known as Thundry Meadows. The Surrey Wildlife Trust helps to look after this important place.
Contents
What Makes Charleshill SSSI Special?
Charleshill SSSI is a "biological" SSSI. This means it is protected for its amazing plants and animals. It has different types of land, including both wet and dry meadows. These different areas allow many kinds of plants to grow.
Unique Habitats
One of the most interesting parts of Charleshill is its very wet area. This area has something called a "quaking mire." A quaking mire is a type of bog where the ground feels like it's shaking when you walk on it. This happens because plants grow on top of a very wet, soft layer of peat and water.
Plants of the Mire
The quaking mire at Charleshill is home to some special plants. These plants love very wet conditions. You can find plants like bottle sedge, marsh cinquefoil, and bog-bean growing here. In the very wettest spots, you might even see white sedge.
Wet Woodland
Besides the meadows and mire, Charleshill SSSI also has some wet woodland. This is a forest area where the ground is often damp or even waterlogged. This type of woodland provides a home for different trees and plants that thrive in wet soil.
Protecting Charleshill
The Surrey Wildlife Trust plays a big role in looking after Charleshill SSSI. They manage the land to make sure the special habitats and plants stay healthy. Protecting places like Charleshill helps to keep nature diverse and thriving for the future.
How to Visit
You can visit Charleshill SSSI. There is access to the site from Farnham Road. It's a great place to explore and see some of Surrey's unique wildlife and plants.
