Folly Farm, Somerset facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Avon |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°20′29″N 2°33′56″W / 51.34132°N 2.56559°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 19.36 hectares (0.1936 km2; 0.0747 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1987 |
Folly Farm is a special place in Somerset, England. It's a working farm and a nature reserve managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust. You can find it near Bishop Sutton in the Chew Valley.
This farm is more than just a farm. It's also a protected area. Much of Folly Farm is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's important for its plants and animals. Some parts of the land have never been ploughed. The SSSI covers two main areas: the meadows (about 19 hectares) and Dowlings Wood (about 9 hectares). It's also a Local Nature Reserve.
The farm house itself is very old, built in the 1700s. The land around it has beautiful wildflower meadows and woodlands. You can also enjoy amazing views of the countryside. The nature reserve is about 250 acres in total. It even has a very old tree called the Folly Oak, which is over 400 years old!
Amazing Animals and Plants
Folly Farm is a fantastic place for wildlife. Many different birds live here. You might spot a marsh tit, a buzzard, or a great spotted woodpecker. The fields are home to types of grass that are now rare in the area.
In summer, the meadows are full of colorful flowers. You can see plants like betony, oxeye daisy, and heath spotted orchid. Later in summer, the fields are covered with black knapweed and devil's bit scabious.
Many butterflies flutter around in the summer. Keep an eye out for the marsh fritillary, ringlet, gatekeeper, and marbled white. These beautiful insects add to the farm's natural beauty.
Scientists have also found many rare types of flies here. Some of these include special craneflies and fungus gnats. These tiny creatures are important for the farm's ecosystem.
Folly Farm Centre: A Place to Learn
The Strachey family used to own this land. The Avon Wildlife Trust bought Folly Farm from them in 1987.
In May 2008, the Avon Wildlife Trust opened the Folly Farm Centre. This centre is a special place for education. It teaches people about nature and how to protect it.
The centre is also very eco-friendly. Its roofs are insulated with sheep's wool. It uses a solar panel to get energy from the sun. A special boiler burns wood pellets for heat. There's even a natural system using willow trees to treat sewage. This helps the centre be kind to the environment.
Gallery
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Folly Farm reception
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Farm buildings now used for exhibitions
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Farm buildings now used for exhibitions
