Fonthill Grottoes facts for kids
Fonthill Grottoes is a very special place in Wiltshire, England. It's a small area of woodland next to Fonthill Lake. This site is officially protected because it's a super important home for bats!
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Fonthill Grottoes: A Secret Bat Haven
The Fonthill Grottoes are known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the area is protected by law because it has rare wildlife or geology. Fonthill Grottoes got this special title in 1994. It's one of the most important places in Britain for bats to sleep through winter.
What are These Grottoes?
The Fonthill Grottoes are not natural caves. They are three underground structures called "follies." People built these follies way back in the 1700s, which is the 18th century. A "folly" is a building or structure built just for decoration or fun, not for living in.
These three special follies are split into two areas. One part is on the west side of Fonthill Lake, and the other is on the east side.
The Names of the Follies
Each of the three underground follies has its own unique name:
- "The Dark Walks"
- "The Hermitage"
- "The Quarry"
Why are These Grottoes So Important for Bats?
The main reason Fonthill Grottoes is a protected SSSI is because of its amazing bat population. It's like a giant, cozy hotel for bats during the cold winter months! This kind of winter sleeping place is called a "hibernaculum."
Up to 207 bats from as many as nine different species have been counted here. This makes it the sixth largest bat hibernaculum in all of Britain!
Meet the Bat Residents!
Many different kinds of bats come to the grottoes to hibernate. Seven species regularly use this site. Some of the most common ones include:
- Greater horseshoe bats
- Lesser Horseshoe Bats
Even some very rare bat species have been seen here multiple times. These include:
- Bechstein's Bat
- Barbastelle
Protecting places like Fonthill Grottoes helps these amazing creatures survive and thrive.
