Colyers Hanger facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
A view across Waterloo Pond near Albury Mill.
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| Area of Search | Surrey |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 26.6 hectares (66 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Colyers Hanger is a special natural area in Surrey, England. It covers about 26.6 hectares (66 acres) (which is roughly the size of 40 football fields!). This place is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it has important plants, animals, or geology.
Colyers Hanger is also part of a larger nature reserve called St Martha's Hill and Colyer's Hanger. This reserve is looked after by the Surrey Wildlife Trust, an organization that works to protect wildlife and natural spaces.
What Makes Colyers Hanger Special?
Colyers Hanger is an ancient forest, meaning it has been continuously wooded for a very long time – often for hundreds of years! It sits on a south-facing slope, which means it gets a lot of sunlight.
Different Types of Woodland
This area has many different kinds of trees and plants. This is because the ground changes a lot across the slope. Different types of soil and rocks allow different kinds of trees to grow.
At the bottom of the slope, there's a stream. The ground near the stream is often wet and "poorly drained," meaning water doesn't soak away quickly. In these wet areas, you'll find many alder trees. Alder trees are very good at growing in damp soil.
On the ground, beneath the trees, you can spot plants like marsh marigold (which has bright yellow flowers) and pendulous sedge (a grass-like plant). These plants thrive in the moist conditions found near the stream.
Visiting Colyers Hanger
If you like exploring nature, you'll be happy to know that several public footpaths go through Colyers Hanger. These paths let people walk through and enjoy this beautiful and important natural space.
