Ivinghoe Hills facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
View of Ivinghoe Beacon from Steps Hill
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| Area of Search | Buckinghamshire |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 210.4 hectares (520 acres) |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Ivinghoe Hills is a really special place in Buckinghamshire, England. It covers a huge area of 210.4 hectares (520 acres), which is about 520 acres! This land is protected because it's a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. It's also part of the beautiful Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Contents
Why Ivinghoe Hills is Important
Ivinghoe Hills is listed in a very important book called A Nature Conservation Review. This means it's one of the best places in the country for wildlife. It has many different kinds of habitats.
Amazing Nature
The area is full of life! It has special kinds of grassland called unimproved chalk grassland. This type of grassland is very rare. It's home to some plant species that are found almost nowhere else in the UK.
The site also has natural woodlands and scrub areas. Some parts of the grassland are grazed by sheep and cattle. This helps to keep the plants healthy and stops bigger plants from taking over. There are even two areas of very old woodland here.
Rare Plants on Gallows Hill
On a spot called Gallows Hill, there's an area that was once ploughed for farming. Even though it was farmed, it's still part of the SSSI. This is because some of the weeds growing there are also very rare in the UK.
History and Walking Trails
Ivinghoe Hills is not just about nature; it also has a rich history. It's a great place for walking and exploring.
Ivinghoe Beacon
Ivinghoe Beacon is a famous hill within the site. It's a well-known landmark. Long ago, during the Iron Age, people built a fort on Ivinghoe Beacon. This fort is now a Scheduled monument, which means it's a very important historical site.
Ancient Burial Mounds
There's also an ancient burial mound, called a tumulus, on Gallows Hill. This is another Scheduled monument. It shows that people have lived and used this land for thousands of years.
Famous Footpaths
Two well-known long-distance walking paths meet at Ivinghoe Beacon. The Ridgeway footpath ends here, and the Icknield Way Path begins. This makes Ivinghoe Hills a popular spot for hikers.
Who Looks After Ivinghoe Hills?
Most of Ivinghoe Hills is part of the National Trust's Ashridge Estate. The National Trust is a charity that protects special places for everyone to enjoy. A small part of the area is looked after by Buckinghamshire County Council.
How to Visit
You can easily visit Ivinghoe Hills. There's a car park run by the National Trust. You can find it off the B488 road.
