Coombe Hill (Cotswolds) facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Coombe Hill Lower slopes
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°38′48″N 2°20′25″W / 51.646553°N 2.34031°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 15.4 hectare |
| Notification | 1994 |
Coombe Hill is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 15.4 hectares, which is like 38 football fields! This area was officially recognized in 1994 as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Being an SSSI means Coombe Hill is important for its nature. It protects rare plants, animals, or geological features. Coombe Hill is special because of its amazing plant life.
This beautiful hill is also part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means the landscape here is so pretty, it's protected to keep it that way. Coombe Hill is located near the town of Wotton-under-Edge. The hill slopes gently and mostly faces south, getting lots of sunshine.
Plants and Flowers at Coombe Hill
Coombe Hill is mostly a large, grassy area. It's a special type of grassland called "limestone grassland." This kind of soil helps many different flowers grow. There's also a small area of woodland along one side.
Flower-Rich Grassland
The main reason Coombe Hill is an SSSI is its "flower-rich" grassland. This means you can find many different kinds of wildflowers here. It's like a natural garden! These flowers provide food and homes for many insects and other small creatures.
The Rare Limestone Woundwort
One very special plant found at Coombe Hill is the Limestone Woundwort (Stachys alpina). This plant is quite rare in the UK. It's exciting to find it growing here! Another nearby hill, called Wotton Hill, also has this rare plant. Protecting places like Coombe Hill helps these unique plants survive.
