Donington Park SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 32.9 hectares |
| Notification | 1983 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Donington Park is a special place in Leicestershire, England. It covers about 32.9 hectares, which is like 81 acres or 46 football fields! This area is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it's home to rare plants and animals. It's important to know that this Donington Park is different from the famous Donington Park motorsport circuit nearby.
Contents
What Makes Donington Park Special?
Donington Park has a very long history. It was even mentioned in the Domesday Book, which was a big survey of England made almost 1,000 years ago! For all of its known history, this park has been managed as a deer park. This means it was a place where deer lived and were cared for, often for hunting.
Home to Rare Wildlife
Most of the park has short, grassy areas. You'll also find patches of bracken, which is a type of large fern. But the most important trees here are the ancient oaks. These old trees are super important because they provide a home for some very rare insects.
Beetles and Spiders
The ancient oak trees and the park's environment create a perfect habitat for special kinds of beetles and spiders. These tiny creatures are rare, and Donington Park helps protect them. Because of these unique animals and plants, the park is protected by law as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This helps make sure these important habitats stay safe for the future.
Is Donington Park Open to Visitors?
Donington Park is private land. This means that it is not open to the public, and people cannot visit it. Its main purpose is to protect the special wildlife that lives there.
