List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Nottinghamshire facts for kids

Nottinghamshire, and its location within the United Kingdom

Nottinghamshire is a county in the middle of England, known for its beautiful countryside and the famous Sherwood Forest. It's home to many special places that are protected because of their amazing nature. These places are called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Think of SSSIs as nature's VIP areas! They are officially recognized and protected by the government because they have important plants, animals, rocks, or landforms. These sites are super important for keeping England's natural environment healthy and diverse.

Nottinghamshire shares its borders with South Yorkshire to the north and Leicestershire to the south. It's a fairly large county, covering about 2,159 square kilometers (which is about 533,500 acres!).

As of March 2012, Nottinghamshire has 66 SSSIs. Most of these (63, to be exact!) are special because of their amazing wildlife, like rare plants or animals. One site is protected just for its geology (the rocks and land), and two sites are special for both their wildlife and their geology.

What are Sites of Special Scientific Interest?

SSSIs are the very best places for wildlife and geology in the UK. They are protected by law to make sure their special features are looked after for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future. These sites can be anything from ancient woodlands and peaceful wetlands to rocky cliffs and important fossil sites.

Why are SSSIs important?

SSSIs are vital for several reasons:

• Protecting Wildlife: They provide safe homes for rare and endangered plants and animals.
• Studying Nature: Scientists use them to learn more about how nature works and how different species live.
• Preserving History: Some SSSIs protect important geological features that tell us about Earth's past.
• Enjoying Nature: Many SSSIs are open to the public, allowing people to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.

Nottinghamshire's Special Sites

Nottinghamshire has a wide variety of SSSIs, each with its own unique features. Here's a look at some of them:

Site Name	Special for Wildlife?	Special for Geology?	Size (Hectares)	Size (Acres)	Location	Other Protections
Annesley Woodhouse Quarry	Y		34.6	85.5	53°04′41″N 1°16′34″W / 53.078°N 1.276°W / 53.078; -1.276 (Annesley Woodhouse Quarries)     SK486537	Wildlife Trust
Ashton's Meadow	Y		3.6	8.8	53°18′36″N 0°49′19″W / 53.31°N 0.822°W / 53.31; -0.822 (Ashton's Meadow)     SK786799
Attenborough Gravel Pits	Y		226.6	559.9	52°53′56″N 1°13′41″W / 52.899°N 1.228°W / 52.899; -1.228 (Attenborough Gravel Pits)     SK520338	Wildlife Trust
Bagthorpe Meadows	Y		6.3	15.6	53°03′43″N 1°18′07″W / 53.062°N 1.302°W / 53.062; -1.302 (Bagthorpe Meadows)     SK469519
Barnstone Railway Cutting	Y		1.5	3.8	52°54′43″N 0°54′04″W / 52.912°N 0.901°W / 52.912; -0.901 (Barnstone Railway Cutting)     SK740355
Barrow Hills Sandpit	Y		1.9	4.6	53°25′05″N 0°58′30″W / 53.418°N 0.975°W / 53.418; -0.975 (Barrow Hills Sandpit)     SK682917
Besthorpe Meadows	Y		9.3	23.1	53°10′05″N 0°46′41″W / 53.168°N 0.778°W / 53.168; -0.778 (Besthorpe Meadows)     SK818641
Besthorpe Warren	Y		8.8	21.8	53°10′44″N 0°45′47″W / 53.179°N 0.763°W / 53.179; -0.763 (Besthorpe Warren)     SK828654
Bevercotes Park	Y		8.5	21.1	53°13′52″N 0°57′11″W / 53.231°N 0.953°W / 53.231; -0.953 (Bevercotes Park)     SK700709
Birklands And Bilhaugh	Y		505.7	1249.7	53°12′29″N 1°04′41″W / 53.208°N 1.078°W / 53.208; -1.078 (Birklands And Bilhaugh)     SK617683	Country Park, National Nature Reserve, NCR, Special Area of Conservation
Birklands West And Ollerton Corner	Y		414.6	1024.6	53°11′56″N 1°06′18″W / 53.199°N 1.105°W / 53.199; -1.105 (Birklands West And Ollerton Corner)     SK599673	Local Nature Reserve
Bogs Farm Quarry	Y		4.9	12	53°04′34″N 1°16′59″W / 53.076°N 1.283°W / 53.076; -1.283 (Bogs Farm Quarry)     SK481534
Bulwell Wood	Y		16.8	41.5	53°00′40″N 1°13′52″W / 53.011°N 1.231°W / 53.011; -1.231 (Bulwell Wood)     SK517462
Castle Hill Wood	Y		30.4	75.1	53°18′54″N 0°53′42″W / 53.315°N 0.895°W / 53.315; -0.895 (Castle Hill Wood)     SK737804
Chesterfield Canal	Y		29.8	73.7	53°22′05″N 0°54′00″W / 53.368°N 0.9°W / 53.368; -0.9 (Chesterfield Canal)     SK733863
Clarborough Tunnel	Y		8.5	21.1	53°20′06″N 0°52′30″W / 53.335°N 0.875°W / 53.335; -0.875 (Clarborough Tunnel)     SK750826	Wildlife Trust
Clipstone Heath	Y		4.2	10.4	53°09′22″N 1°06′47″W / 53.156°N 1.113°W / 53.156; -1.113 (Clipstone Heath)     SK594625
Clumber Park	Y		525.7	1298.9	53°15′29″N 1°03′43″W / 53.258°N 1.062°W / 53.258; -1.062 (Clumber Park)     SK627739	National Trust
Colwick Cutting	Y	Y	2.1	5.1	52°57′07″N 1°06′14″W / 52.952°N 1.104°W / 52.952; -1.104 (Colwick Cutting)     SK603398	Geological Conservation Review, Local Nature Reserve
Dovedale Wood	Y		13.4	33.2	53°09′47″N 1°18′22″W / 53.163°N 1.306°W / 53.163; -1.306 (Dovedale Wood)     SK465631	National Trust
Dyscarr Wood	Y		21.6	53.4	53°22′55″N 1°07′52″W / 53.382°N 1.131°W / 53.382; -1.131 (Dyscarr Wood)     SK579876	Wildlife Trust
Eakring And Maplebeck Meadows	Y		15.8	39	53°09′04″N 0°57′07″W / 53.151°N 0.952°W / 53.151; -0.952 (Eakring And Maplebeck Meadows)     SK702621	Wildlife Trust
Friezeland Grassland	Y		3.7	9.1	53°03′04″N 1°17′28″W / 53.051°N 1.291°W / 53.051; -1.291 (Friezeland Grassland)     SK476506
Gamston & Eaton Woods & Roadside Verges	Y		57.2	141.2	53°17′10″N 0°54′43″W / 53.286°N 0.912°W / 53.286; -0.912 (Gamston & Eaton Woods & Roadside Verges)     SK726771	Wildlife Trust
Gotham Hill Pasture	Y		8.4	20.8	52°52′19″N 1°12′50″W / 52.872°N 1.214°W / 52.872; -1.214 (Gotham Hill Pasture)     SK530308
Hills And Holes And Sookholme Brook, Warsop	Y		30.2	74.5	53°12′14″N 1°10′16″W / 53.204°N 1.171°W / 53.204; -1.171 (Hills And Holes And Sookholme Brook, Warsop)     SK555678	Wildlife Enhancement Scheme
Holme Pit	Y		4.2	10.3	52°54′18″N 1°12′18″W / 52.905°N 1.205°W / 52.905; -1.205 (Holme Pit)     SK536345
Kimberley Railway Cutting	Y	Y	5.4	13.3	53°00′04″N 1°15′22″W / 53.001°N 1.256°W / 53.001; -1.256 (Kimberley Railway Cutting)     SK500451	Geological Conservation Review, Wildlife Trust
Kinoulton Marsh And Canal	Y		2.6	6.4	52°52′01″N 0°59′38″W / 52.867°N 0.994°W / 52.867; -0.994 (Kinoulton Marsh And Canal)     SK678304
Kirkby Grives	Y		22	54.4	53°05′31″N 1°15′29″W / 53.092°N 1.258°W / 53.092; -1.258 (Kirkby Grives)     SK498552	Local Nature Reserve, Wildlife Trust
Kirton Wood, Notts.	Y		18.4	45.5	53°12′25″N 0°56′35″W / 53.207°N 0.943°W / 53.207; -0.943 (Kirton Wood, Notts.)     SK707683	Wildlife Trust
Laxton Sykes	Y		14.3	35.3	53°10′55″N 0°54′22″W / 53.182°N 0.906°W / 53.182; -0.906 (Laxton Sykes)     SK732656
Linby Quarries	Y		38.7	95.6	53°03′50″N 1°12′18″W / 53.064°N 1.205°W / 53.064; -1.205 (Linby Quarries)     SK534522
Lord Stubbins Wood	Y		24.8	61.4	53°12′54″N 1°11′46″W / 53.215°N 1.196°W / 53.215; -1.196 (Lord Stubbins Wood)     SK538690
Mather Wood	Y		8	19.7	53°07′30″N 0°55′16″W / 53.125°N 0.921°W / 53.125; -0.921 (Mather Wood)     SK723592
Mattersey Hill Marsh	Y		6	14.9	53°22′41″N 0°59′35″W / 53.378°N 0.993°W / 53.378; -0.993 (Mattersey Hill Marsh)     SK671873
Misson Line Bank	Y		20.7	51.2	53°27′25″N 0°55′30″W / 53.457°N 0.925°W / 53.457; -0.925 (Misson Line Bank)     SK715961
Misson Training Area	Y		85.2	210.5	53°28′08″N 0°55′34″W / 53.469°N 0.926°W / 53.469; -0.926 (Misson Training Area)     SK714974	Wildlife Trust
Mother Drain, Misterton	Y		3.6	9	53°26′49″N 0°49′55″W / 53.447°N 0.832°W / 53.447; -0.832 (Mother Drain, Misterton)     SK777951
Newhall Reservoir Meadow	Y		0.7	1.8	53°05′06″N 1°00′54″W / 53.085°N 1.015°W / 53.085; -1.015 (Newhall Reservoir Meadow)     SK661546
Normanton Pastures	Y		16.6	40.9	52°53′31″N 1°04′19″W / 52.892°N 1.072°W / 52.892; -1.072 (Normanton Pastures)     SK625331
Orston Plaster Pits	Y		4.6	11.5	52°57′11″N 0°52′01″W / 52.953°N 0.867°W / 52.953; -0.867 (Orston Plaster Pits)     SK762401
Pleasley Vale Railway	Y		3.5	8.7	53°10′41″N 1°13′23″W / 53.178°N 1.223°W / 53.178; -1.223 (Pleasley Vale Railway)     SK520648	Local Nature Reserve
Rainworth Heath	Y		13.6	33.7	53°07′34″N 1°07′05″W / 53.126°N 1.118°W / 53.126; -1.118 (Rainworth Heath)     SK591591
Rainworth Lakes	Y		14.2	35	53°07′01″N 1°07′37″W / 53.117°N 1.127°W / 53.117; -1.127 (Rainworth Lakes)     SK585581
Redgate Woods And Mansey Common	Y		71.3	176.1	53°07′55″N 0°59′13″W / 53.132°N 0.987°W / 53.132; -0.987 (Redgate Woods And Mansey Common)     SK679599
River Idle Washlands	Y		88.5	218.6	53°26′10″N 1°00′11″W / 53.436°N 1.003°W / 53.436; -1.003 (River Idle Washlands)     SK663937	Wildlife Trust
Robbinetts	Y		6.3	15.5	52°58′23″N 1°16′08″W / 52.973°N 1.269°W / 52.973; -1.269 (Robbinetts)     SK492420
Roe Wood	Y		46.7	115.5	53°07′23″N 0°57′29″W / 53.123°N 0.958°W / 53.123; -0.958 (Roe Wood)     SK698589
Rushcliffe Golf Course	Y		19.5	48.1	52°50′53″N 1°11′42″W / 52.848°N 1.195°W / 52.848; -1.195 (Rushcliffe Golf Course)     SK543281
Scrooby Top Quarry	Y		3.6	8.8	53°23′42″N 1°01′26″W / 53.395°N 1.024°W / 53.395; -1.024 (Scrooby Top Quarry)     SK650891
Seller's Wood	Y		13.9	34.3	53°00′11″N 1°13′26″W / 53.003°N 1.224°W / 53.003; -1.224 (Seller'S Wood)     SK522454	Local Nature Reserve
Sherwood Forest Golf Course	Y		62.5	154.5	53°08′56″N 1°07′26″W / 53.149°N 1.124°W / 53.149; -1.124 (Sherwood Forest Golf Course)     SK587617
Sledder Wood Meadows	Y		7.9	19.6	53°01′01″N 1°15′40″W / 53.017°N 1.261°W / 53.017; -1.261 (Sledder Wood Meadows)     SK497469
Spalford Warren	Y		35.8	88.5	53°12′11″N 0°45′22″W / 53.203°N 0.756°W / 53.203; -0.756 (Spalford Warren)     SK832680	Wildlife Trust
Strawberry Hill Heaths	Y		31.5	77.9	53°08′13″N 1°08′10″W / 53.137°N 1.136°W / 53.137; -1.136 (Strawberry Hill Heaths)     SK579603
Styrrup Quarry		Y	0.3	0.7	53°24′18″N 1°05′28″W / 53.405°N 1.091°W / 53.405; -1.091 (Styrrup Quarry)     SK605902	Geological Conservation Review
Sutton And Lound Gravel Pits	Y		316.8	782.8	53°22′08″N 0°56′13″W / 53.369°N 0.937°W / 53.369; -0.937 (Sutton And Lound Gravel Pits)     SK708863	Wildlife Trust
Teversal Pastures	Y		17.9	44.3	53°09′00″N 1°16′01″W / 53.15°N 1.267°W / 53.15; -1.267 (Teversal Pastures)     SK491617	Local Nature Reserve
Teversal To Pleasley Railway	Y		5	12.4	53°09′54″N 1°16′19″W / 53.165°N 1.272°W / 53.165; -1.272 (Teversal To Pleasley Railway)     SK488633	Local Nature Reserve, Wildlife Trust
Thoresby Lake	Y		58	143.3	53°13′37″N 1°03′18″W / 53.227°N 1.055°W / 53.227; -1.055 (Thoresby Lake)     SK632704
Treswell Wood	Y		48	118.6	53°18′22″N 0°51′32″W / 53.306°N 0.859°W / 53.306; -0.859 (Treswell Wood)     SK761794	Wildlife Trust
Welbeck Lake	Y		101.7	251.2	53°14′56″N 1°08′38″W / 53.249°N 1.144°W / 53.249; -1.144 (Welbeck Lake)     SK572728	Wildlife refuge
Wellow Park	Y		135.5	334.8	53°11′49″N 0°58′41″W / 53.197°N 0.978°W / 53.197; -0.978 (Wellow Park)     SK684671
Wilford Claypits	Y		2.2	5.4	52°54′50″N 1°09′14″W / 52.914°N 1.154°W / 52.914; -1.154 (Wilford Claypits)     SK570355
Wilwell Cutting	Y		7.3	18.1	52°54′29″N 1°09′36″W / 52.908°N 1.16°W / 52.908; -1.16 (Wilwell Cutting)     SK566348	Local Nature Reserve, Wildlife Trust

How to Learn More About SSSIs

If you're interested in finding out more about these special places, you can visit the websites of organizations like Natural England or the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. They have lots of information about the amazing plants, animals, and geological features that make these sites so important. You might even find opportunities to visit some of them!