Garstons Down facts for kids

Garston's Down is a beautiful area of rolling hills, called downland, on the Isle of Wight. It's pretty high up, reaching about 151 meters (495 feet) above sea level! You can find it in the middle of the island, near Carisbrooke and Gatcombe. This special place is one of the best examples of natural chalk downland that hasn't been changed by people.

In 1971, a large part of Garston's Down, about 20.3 hectares (that's like 50 football fields!), was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a super important place for nature, especially for its amazing plants and animals. Because it's a bit hidden away, Garston's Down offers incredible views of the countryside and even the distant coast.

What is Garston's Down Like?

Garston's Down is a special nature area, known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has a deep, dry valley with steep chalky slopes on both sides. There's also a ridge, which is like a long, narrow hill, on the eastern side.

The higher parts of the slopes have a layer of stony gravel. Sheep graze across the whole area, which helps keep the plants healthy. This grazing stops bigger plants from taking over, allowing smaller, rarer ones to grow.

Chalk Grassland Plants

The main part of Garston's Down is covered in chalk grassland. This type of grassland grows on chalky soil. The most common grass here is called sheep's fescue. You can find many different kinds of herbs growing among the grass. On average, about 33 different plant species are found in every square meter!

Some of the most exciting plants here are special orchids. You can find large groups of pyramidal orchids and bee orchids. There's also a strong group of burnt-tip orchids, which is the only place on the Isle of Wight where they are known to grow! Another interesting plant is the early gentian, which loves calcium-rich soil.

Gravelly Slopes and Woodland

The gravelly areas on the higher slopes and at the top of the valley have different kinds of plants. The soil here is more acidic. The main grass you'll see is common-bent grass. Often, you'll also find beautiful foxgloves, heath bedstraw, and sheep's sorrel. These grassy areas are mixed with patches of gorse, a spiky bush with bright yellow flowers.

On the eastern ridge, you'll find trees and bushes growing. The main ones are bramble (which gives us blackberries!), hawthorn, and wayfaring tree. In some spots, there's even taller woodland. These woods are mostly made up of ash and hazel trees. Often, these trees are covered with a climbing plant called old man's beard, which looks like fluffy white strands.