Knocking Hoe facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Knocking Hoe with terraces of the ancient strip lynchet field system
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| Area of Search | Bedfordshire |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 7.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Knocking Hoe is a very special natural area in Bedfordshire, England. It covers about 7.7 hectares, which is like 10 football fields! This amazing place is known as both a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's protected because of its important wildlife and plants.
Knocking Hoe is part of the beautiful Chiltern Hills area, which is famous for its natural beauty. It is looked after by an organization called Natural England, which helps protect nature across the country.
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What Makes Knocking Hoe Special?
Knocking Hoe is a unique valley with a flat bottom and steep sides. It's home to a rare type of land called "unimproved chalk grassland." This means the grass has not been changed by farming or chemicals. This natural grassland is perfect for many rare plants to grow.
Rare Plants of Knocking Hoe
You can find several plants here that are very rare in the UK. These include the interesting moon carrot and the spotted catsear. Other special plants are the field fleawort, the beautiful burnt tip orchid, and the lovely pasque flower.
One plant, the autumn lady’s tresses, has been studied at Knocking Hoe for over 50 years! This shows how important this site is for understanding nature.
A Glimpse into History
Knocking Hoe is not just about nature; it also has a fascinating history. You can see ancient "strip lynchet" field systems here. These are old terraces or steps cut into the hillside. They were used for farming a very long time ago. These old fields are important for archaeologists, who study human history.
Visiting Knocking Hoe
If you want to explore Knocking Hoe, you can get there by following a footpath. This path starts from Hitchin Road in a nearby village called Pegsdon. It's a great place to visit and see some of England's rarest plants and a bit of history!
