Charnwood Lodge facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
The 'bomb rocks'
|
|
| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 134.2 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Charnwood Lodge is a very special place in Leicestershire, near Coalville. It's a huge area, about 134 hectares, which is like 330 football fields! This land is important for its amazing plants and animals (biological) and its ancient rocks (geological).
Because it's so unique, Charnwood Lodge is called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's also a National Nature Reserve. This means it's protected so its special features can be enjoyed by everyone. The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust helps look after this incredible place.
Contents
What Makes Charnwood Lodge Special?
Charnwood Lodge is the biggest area of moorland in the East Midlands region of England. Moorland is a type of wild, open land, often covered in heather and grasses.
Amazing Plants and Habitats
Much of the dry, hilly parts of Charnwood Lodge are covered by a plant called bracken. In the wetter areas, you'll find a type of wet heathland. This heathland is mostly covered by a grass called purple moor-grass. These different plant types create homes for many different animals.
Ancient 'Bomb' Rocks
The site is also super important for its geology. It has special rocks known as 'bomb' rocks. These are volcanic rocks that were formed around 600 million years ago! That's an incredibly long time ago, during a period called the Ediacaran period. These rocks are like clues from Earth's very distant past. They help scientists understand what our planet was like millions of years ago.
Visiting Charnwood Lodge
Part of Charnwood Lodge is open for people to visit. You can get to it from Warren Hills Road. It's a great place to explore nature and see some of the oldest rocks in England.
