List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire facts for kids

Pen-y-ghent in North Yorkshire

This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. As of 2006^[update], there are 241 sites designated within this Area of Search. 162 sites have been designated due to their biological interest, 56 due to their geological interest, and 23 for both.

Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than, for example, merging all Yorkshire sites into a single list. Some sites you may expect to find here could therefore be in the Cleveland list.

For other counties, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search. The data in the table is taken from Natural England's website in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI.

Sites

Site name	Reason for designation		Area		Grid reference	Year in which notified	Map	Citation
	Biological interest	Geological interest	Hectares	Acres
Acaster South Ings	Y		38.3	94.6		1988	Map	[1]
Angram Bottoms	Y		9.8	24.2		1989	Map	[2]
Arkengarthdale Gunnerside and Reeth Moors	Y		7,634.7	18,865.4	&	1998	Map	[3]
Arkle Beck Meadows, Whaw	Y		8.4	20.8		1986	Map	[4]
Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods	Y		52.5	129.7		2000	Map	[5]
Ashberry and Reins Wood	Y		97.7	241.5		1960	Map	[6]
Ashes Pasture and Meadows		Y	14.3	34.3		1983	Map	[7]
Askham Bog	Y	Y	44.7	110.7		1961	Map	[8]
Askrigg Bottoms	Y	Y	2.8	6.9		1984	Map	[9]
Attermire	Y		57.5	142.1		1955	Map	[10]
Aubert Ings	Y		10.6	26.3		1984	Map	[11]
Austwick and Lawkland Mosses	Y		83.6	206.6		1958	Map	[12]
Aysgarth		Y	18.3	45.1	–	1992	Map	[13]
Bastow Wood	Y		52.0	128.6		1975	Map	[14]
Beck Dale Meadow	Y		2.2	5.4		2002	Map	[15]
Beck Hole	Y		70.5	174.2		1960	Map	[16]
Bellerby Fields	Y		2.8	6.9		1994	Map	[17]
Betton Farm Quarries		Y	2.3	5.6		1954	Map	[18]
Biller Howe Dale	Y		85.0	210.1		1983	Map	[19]
Birkham Wood	Y		28.2	69.6		1988	Map	[20]
Birks Fell Caves		Y	85.5	211.2		1989	Map	[21]
Birkwith Caves and Fell	Y	Y	178.4	440.8		1988	Map	[22]
Bishop Monkton Ings	Y		38.8	95.9		1986	Map	[23]
Black Keld Catchment		Y	1401.3	3461.2		1999	Map	[24]
Black Scar Quarry		Y	1.1	2.8		1992	Map	[25]
Blaiskey Bank Springs	Y		1.4	3.5		1989	Map	[26]
Bolton Percy Ings	Y		7.1	17.5		1991	Map	[27]
Boreham Cave		Y	159.4	393.9		1986	Map	[28]
Botton Head		Y	5.1	12.6		1984	Map	[29]
Brants Gill Catchment		Y	493.2	1218.2	, &	1986	Map	[30]
Breighton Meadows	Y		37.4	90.6		1986	Map	[31]
Bride Stones	Y	Y	120.5	297.7		1952	Map	[32]
Brimham Rocks	Y		162.7	402.0		1958	Map	[33]
Brockadale	Y		58.3	144.0		1961	Map	[34]
Broughton Bank		Y	4.6	11.3		1981	Map	[35]
Bull Ings	Y		3.0	7.5		1983	Map	[36]
Burr Closes, Selby	Y		1.3	3.1		1984	Map	[37]
Burton Leonard Lime Quarry	Y		3.3	8.2		1958	Map	[38]
Castle Hill Wood	Y		5.7	11.1		1983	Map	[39]
Castlebeck and Scar Woods	Y		36.6	90.5		1954	Map	[40]
Cawthorn Moor	Y		38.3	94.6		1990	Map	[41]
Caydale	Y		163.6	404.2		2004	Map	[42]
Cayton, Cornelian and South Bays	Y		169.8	419.5		1984	Map	[43]
Chris's Pasture	Y		3.8	9.4		1991	Map	[44]
Church Ings	Y		6.7	16.5		1991	Map	[45]
Cliff Beck Meadow, Buttertubs	Y		1.5	3.7		1986	Map	[46]
Cliff Force Cave		Y	70.9	175.4		1998	Map	[47]
Cliff Ridge		Y	2.6	6.4		1988	Map	[48]
Clints Quarry		Y	1.0	2.5		1955	Map	[49]
Cockerham Meadows, Thorpe	Y		2.5	6.2		1987	Map	[50]
Cocket Moss	Y		20.0	50.0		1955	Map	[51]
Cockrah Wood	Y		11.9	29.4		1950	Map	[52]
Conistone Old Pasture	Y	Y	297.2	734.4		1955	Map	[53]
Cow Cliff Pasture and Quarry	Y		1.3	3.3		1984	Map	[54]
Cow Myers	Y		15.2	37.5		1983	Map	[55]
Cracoe Reef Knolls		Y	141.1	348.6	, , , , &	1952	Map	[56]
Cropton Banks and Howlgate Head Woods	Y		42.2	104.3		1985	Map	[57]
Dalby Bush Fen	Y		7.4	18.3		1988	Map	[58]
Deepdale Meadows, Langstrothdale	Y		12.8	31.6		1988	Map	[59]
Derwent Ings	Y		662.4	1,636.9	–	1975	Map	[60]
Dow Cave System		Y	79.4	196.2		1987	Map	[61]
Duncombe Park	Y		117.8	291.2		1985	Map	[62]
East Heslerton Brow	Y		40.7	100.6		1954	Map	[63]
East Keswick Fitts	Y		12.0	29.6		1989	Map	[64]
East Nidderdale Moors (Flamstone Pin - High Ruckles)	Y		10,776.9	26,619.1	–	1996	Map	[65]
Eller's Wood and Sand Dale	Y		8.9	21.9		1983	Map	[66]
Ellerburn Bank	Y		2.9	7.2		1983	Map	[67]
Eskamhorn Meadows	Y		13.7	33.8		2010	Map	[68]
Fairy Call Beck		Y	1.8	4.5		1992	Map	[69]
Far Mains and Far Limekiln Close Meadows	Y		2.1	5.1		1986	Map	[70]
Farndale	Y		157.3	388.8		1987	Map	[71]
Farnham Mires	Y		10.2	25.1		1954	Map	[72]
Feetham Holme	Y		3.2	7.8		1984	Map	[73]
Filey Brigg	Y		27.9	68.9		1985	Map	[74]
Foredale		Y	1.6	4.0		1990	Map	[75]
Forlorn Hope Meadow	Y		1.6	4.0		1991	Map	[76]
Fothering Holme	Y		10.3	25.5		1989	Map	[77]
Freeholders Wood	Y		14.0	34.6		1988	Map	[78]
Fulford Ings	Y		12.7	31.3		1991	Map	[79]
Giggleswick Scar and Kinsey Cave	Y	Y	40.1	99.1	–	1958	Map	[80]
Gingerfields	Y		6.9	17.0	&	1991	Map	[81]
Golden Hill Pit		Y	0.7	1.7		1990	Map	[82]
Gormire	Y		54.0	133.5		1954	Map	[83]
Gouthwaite Reservoir	Y		147.7	365.0		1969	Map	[84]
Gowerdale Windy Pits/Peak Scar	Y	Y	4.7	11.6	, &	1960	Map	[85]
Grass Wood	Y		88.0	217.5		1955	Map	[86]
Grassington Hospital Grounds	Y		5.0	12.4		1988	Map	[87]
Great Almscliff Crag		Y	7.9	19.4		1987	Map	[88]
Green Lane Pit		Y	1.1	2.6		1988	Map	[89]
Greenfield Meadow	Y		15.1	37.3		1985	Map	[90]
Greenhow Pasture	Y		7.2	17.8		1983	Map	[91]
Greenhow Quarry		Y	2.7	6.6		1992	Map	[92]
Gristhorpe Bay and Red Cliff	Y		54.4	134.4		1954	Map	[93]
Hack Fall Wood	Y		42.4	104.7		1989	Map	[94]
Hackness Head Quarry		Y	3.0	7.4		1954	Map	[95]
Hackness Rock Pit		Y	0.1	0.3		1992	Map	[96]
Hambleton Quarry		Y	12.3	30.3		1991	Map	[97]
Harker's House Meadows	Y		14.2	35.1		1985	Map	[98]
Harwood Dale Moor		Y	0.4	1.1		1999	Map	[99]
Haugh and Gundale Slacks	Y		58.7	145.0	, , , &	1985	Map	[100]
Haw Crag Quarry		Y	9.0	23.3		1958	Map	[101]
Hawkswick Wood	Y		12.0	29.0		1975	Map	[102]
Hay-a-Park Gravel Pit	Y		44.9	111.0		1995	Map	[103]
Hayburn Wyke	Y	Y	21.0	51.9		1958	Map	[104]
Hesley Moss	Y		10.9	27.1		1993	Map	[105]
Heslington Tillmire	Y		46.7	115.3		1990	Map	[106]
Hill House Nab		Y	4.0	9.9		1984	Map	[107]
Hole of Horcum	Y	Y	145.2	358.8		1954	Map	[108]
Holy Well, Bridge		Y	1.7	4.2		1986	Map	[109]
Horse Field, Gilling	Y		2.1	5.2		1985	Map	[110]
Ingleborough	Y	Y	5,230.0	12,923.4		1955	Map	[111]
Iron Scar and Hundale Point to Scalby Ness	Y	Y	125.3	309.6	, –	1984	Map	[112]
Jeffry Bog	Y		7.6	18.8	&	1983	Map	[113]
Keasden Moor		Y	10.2	25.2		1989	Map	[114]
Kettlewell Meadows	Y		12.3	30.3		1986	Map	[115]
Kildale Hall		Y	6.6	16.2		1993	Map	[116]
Kilnsey Flush	Y		1.5	3.7		1986	Map	[117]
Kirk Deighton	Y		4.0	9.9		2000	Map	[118]
Kirkby Wharfe	Y		21.7	53.7		1984	Map	[119]
Kirkdale Cave		Y	0.3	0.7		1960	Map	[120]
Kirkham Park & Riverside	Y		41.1	101.5		1954	Map	[121]
Kisdon Force Woods	Y		38.0	94.0		1974	Map	[122]
Ladyhills	Y		3.5	8.8		1993	Map	[123]
Langcliffe Scars and Jubilee, Albert and Victoria Caves		Y	684.9	1692.4		1955	Map	[124]
Len Pastures, Crackpot	Y		4.0	9.9		1989	Map	[125]
Leyburn Glebe	Y		2.6	6.5		1983	Map	[126]
Ling Gill	Y		5.1	12.6		1985	Map	[127]
Littlebeck Wood	Y		17.3	42.8		1983	Map	[128]
Lord's Wood and Pasture	Y		6.4	15.8		1990	Map	[129]
Lovely Seat - Stainton Moor	Y		10,128.7	25,017.8	–	1995	Map	[130]
Low Gill Moor Wetlands	Y		62.9	155.4		1990	Map	[131]
Low Pasture	Y		10.5	25.9		1987	Map	[132]
Lower Swaledale Woods and Grasslands	Y		223.7	552.7		1992	Map	[133]
Malham-Arncliffe	Y	Y	4,933.9	12,191.7		1955	Map	[134]
Malham-Arncliffe (Cool Pasture)	Y		6.2	15.2		1995	Map	[135]
Mallerstang-Swaledale Head	Y		6,232.3	15,400.0		1964	Map	[136]
Mar Field Fen	Y		8.9	22.0		1988	Map	[137]
Marsett Rigg	Y		8.0	19.8		1985	Map	[138]
Meadow Croft, Skythorns	Y		0.4	0.9		1985	Map	[139]
Meal Bank Quarry		Y	7.2	17.7		1958	Map	[140]
Mill Holme Meadow, Thwaite	Y		0.6	1.5		1986	Map	[141]
Mount Pleasant Quarry		Y	1.0	2.5		1954	Map	[142]
Muker Meadows	Y		15.6	38.5		1988	Map	[143]
Nabgate	Y		6.7	16.5		1987	Map	[144]
Naburn Marsh	Y		13.3	32.9		1992	Map	[145]
New Close, Calvert Houses	Y		6.6	19.3		1986	Map	[146]
New House Meadows, Malham	Y		8.8	21.7		1990	Map	[147]
Newbridge Quarry		Y	7.1	17.5		1984	Map	[148]
Newby Moor	Y		276.8	684.0		1990	Map	[149]
Newsome Bridge Quarry		Y	1.6	4.0		1970	Map	[150]
Newton-le-willows Meadows	Y		4.2	10.5	&	1994	Map	[151]
Newtondale	Y	Y	935.5	2,311.1		1955	Map	[152]
Nine Spring Dale	Y		4.5	11.2		1959	Map	[153]
Noddle End	Y		9.5	23.5		1987	Map	[154]
North Bay to South Toll House Cliff		Y	10.4	25.1	, , &	1954	Map	[155]
North York Moors	Y	Y	44,087.7	108,940.6	– & –	1998	Map	[156]
Nunnington Cutting and Quarries		Y	5.6	13.8	&	1984	Map	[157]
Oughtershaw and Beckermonds	Y		75.9	187.6		1985	Map	[158]
Ox Close	Y		140.1	346.2	–	1985	Map	[159]
Oxenber and Wharfe Woods	Y		88.4	218.3		1955	Map	[160]
Pan Beck Fen	Y		2.5	6.1		1985	Map	[161]
Park Hall Meadows, Healaugh, Richmondshire	Y		6.8	16.8		1985	Map	[162]
Pen Y Ghent Gill	Y	Y	215.6	532.7		1986	Map	[163]
Pen-y-ghent	Y	Y	1,456.9	3,600.0		1955	Map	[164]
Pikedaw Calamine Caverns	Y	Y	27.1	66.9		1958	Map	[165]
Pilmoor	Y		45.0	111.2		1992	Map	[166]
Pry and Bottom Meadows, Mid-mossdale	Y		3.6	8.8	–	1984	Map	[167]
Quarry Moor	Y		7.5	18.8		1986	Map	[168]
Raincliffe & Forge Valley Woods	Y		95.6	236.2		1956	Map	[169]
Richmond Meadows	Y		2.9	7.1	&	1995	Map	[170]
Rievaulx Woods	Y		17.0	42.0		1954	Map	[171]
Ripon Parks	Y		130.0	321.0		1983	Map	[172]
River Derwent	Y		-	-	–	1986	Map	[173]
River Ribble (Long Preston Deeps)	Y		168.8	417.2	–	1987	Map	[174]
River Ure Bank, Ripon Parks		Y	1.9	4.6	–	1988	Map	[175]
River Ure Grasslands	Y		18.5	45.8	– , &	1986	Map	[176]
River Wharfe	Y		48.3	119.4	–	1985	Map	[177]
Robin Hood's Bay: Maw Wyke to Beast Cliff	Y	Y	365.2	902.4	–	1954–-74	Map	[178]
Runswick Bay		Y	9.9	24.4		1984	Map	[179]
Ruston Cottage Pasture	Y		17.1	42.3		1984	Map	[180]
Ryedale Windypits		Y	11.2	27.7	, &	1960	Map	[181]
Salt Lake Quarry	Y		3.6	8.9		1975	Map	[182]
Scar Closes, Kisdon Side	Y		3.7	9.1		1988	Map	[183]
Scar End Wood	Y		27.4	67.7		1983	Map	[184]
School Share Section		Y	2.4	6.0		1952	Map	[185]
Scoska Wood	Y		68.9	170.3		1975	Map	[186]
Seato Pastures	Y	Y	9.9	24.5		1990	Map	[187]
Seive Dale Fen	Y		10.4	26.7		1983	Map	[188]
Semerwater	Y		101.4	250.6		1975	Map	[189]
Shaw Beck Gill		Y	29.1	77.9	–	1977	Map	[190]
Shaw's Gate Quarry		Y	1.6	3.9		1984	Map	[191]
Sherburn Willows	Y		5.3	13.1		1985	Map	[192]
Sked Dale	Y		3.6	8.9		1954	Map	[193]
Skipwith Common	Y		293.0	724.0		1958	Map	[194]
Sleightholme Dale	Y		28.7	71.0		1986	Map	[195]
Snape Hill Quarry		Y	0.6	1.5		1984	Map	[196]
Snaper Farm Meadows	Y		15.9	39.3		1990	Map	[197]
South Pennine Moors	Y	Y	20,938	51,738.7		1994	Map	[198]
Spell Howe Plantation	Y		4.3	10.6		1986	Map	[199]
Spiker's Hill Quarry		Y	6.4	15.8		1991	Map	[200]
Spring Wood, Hawnby	Y		42.4	104.7		1984	Map	[201]
Staithes - Port Mulgrave		Y	62.3	154.1	–	1984	Map	[202]
Stephen Ings, Crackpot	Y		3,089	7,630		1986	Map	[203]
Stonehead Beck (Gill Beck)		Y	0.6	1.4		1986	Map	[204]
Stonepit and Nova Slacks	Y		12.2	30.1		1986	Map	[205]
Stran's Gill		Y	7.8	19.3		1990	Map	[206]
Strensall Common	Y		578.7	1,430.1		1965	Map	[207]
Strid Wood	Y		58.9	145.6		1985	Map	[208]
Stump Cross Caves		Y	55.8	137.9		1989	Map	[209]
Stutton Ings	Y		5.1	12.7		1986	Map	[210]
Swale Lakes	Y		42.5	105.0		1986	Map	[211]
Swarth Moor	Y		34.1	85.2		1958	Map	[212]
Swinden Quarry	Y	Y	112.1	276.9		1998	Map	[213]
Swineley Meadow, Widdale	Y		8.8	21.7		1984	Map	[214]
Tadcaster Mere		Y	8.7	21.5		1987	Map	[215]
The Ings, Amotherby	Y		18.0	44.6		1994	Map	[216]
Thixen Dale and Longdale	Y		89.7	221.5	, &	1954	Map	[217]
Thornton and Twisleton Glens	Y		59.6	147.2	&	1958	Map	[218]
Thowker Corner	Y		1.4	3.5		1990	Map	[219]
Three Dykes	Y		0.6	1.4		1962	Map	[220]
Thwaite Stones	Y		17.6	43.5		1984	Map	[221]
Tranmire	Y		11.0	27.2		1985	Map	[222]
Tripsdale	Y		1,013	2,503		1965	Map	[223]
Troutsdale and Rosekirk Dale Fens	Y		13.1	32.3	&	1984	Map	[224]
Upper Dunsforth Carrs	Y		10.2	25.1		1984	Map	[225]
Upper Nidderdale		Y	137.2	347.2		1961	Map	[226]
Upper Wharfedale	Y	Y	1,123.0	2,773.9		1994	Map	[227]
Vessey Pasture Dale and Back Dale	Y		26.8	66.2		1985	Map	[228]
Walden Meadows	Y		12.0	29.7		1986	Map	[229]
Wanlass Grasslands	Y		67.1	165.8	&	1986	Map	[230]
Waterdale	Y		36.3	90.0		1954	Map	[231]
Wath Quarry		Y	0.1	0.3		1991	Map	[232]
West End Meadow, Lunds	Y		3.7	9.1		1986	Map	[233]
West Nidderdale, Barden and Blubberhouses Moors	Y		13,418.9	33,144.8	– –	1998	Map	[234]
Wharram Quarry	Y		6.4	16.0		1984	Map	[235]
Whernside	Y	Y	3,839.4	9,487.1		1958	Map	[236]
Whitby-Saltwick		Y	42.4	104.7	–	1985	Map	[237]
Whitcliffe Section, Quarry Moor		Y	0.1	0.2		1998	Map	[238]
Whitfield Gill and Mill Gill		Y	18.7	46.2	–	1998	Map	[239]
Wintringham Marsh	Y		5.7	14.0		1975	Map	[240]
Yockenthwaite Meadows	Y		11.2	27.7		1986	Map	[241]