Hemingford Grey Meadow facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 0.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Hemingford Grey Meadow is a special place for nature found south of Hemingford Grey in Cambridgeshire. It's a small area, about 0.7 hectares, which is roughly the size of one football field. This meadow is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the unique plants that grow there.
The meadow is also called Arthur's Meadow. It is looked after by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. They work hard to protect this important natural habitat.
What Makes This Meadow Special?
Hemingford Grey Meadow is a "biological" SSSI. This means it's important because of its living things, especially the plants. The soil here is a special type called calcareous clay pasture. This kind of soil has lots of calcium, which helps certain plants grow really well.
Amazing Plants You Can Find
This meadow is home to many different kinds of plants. It's like a natural garden!
- Wildflowers: You can spot beautiful wildflowers like the oxeye daisy. This flower has white petals and a yellow center, looking a bit like a sunny egg. Another interesting plant is the yellow rattle. This plant gets its name because its seeds rattle inside their pods when they are dry.
- Orchids: The meadow is also a great place to find orchids. These are often colorful and have unique shapes. Two types of orchids found here are common twayblades and common spotteds. Seeing these rare flowers makes the meadow truly special.
Visiting Hemingford Grey Meadow
If you want to explore this natural wonder, you can!
You can get to Hemingford Grey Meadow from Grove Lane. This lane is located off the eastbound side of the A14 road, which is a dual carriageway. It's a great spot to see some of Cambridgeshire's unique plant life.
