List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset facts for kids
Welcome to the amazing world of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Somerset! These are special places in Somerset, England, United Kingdom, that are protected because they have unique plants, animals, rocks, or land features. Think of them as nature's treasures!
The job of finding and protecting these sites belongs to an organization called Natural England. They look for places that are important for their fauna (animals), flora (plants), geological (rock formations), or physical features like rivers and coasts.
In Somerset, there are 127 of these special sites. Most of them (83) are protected because of their amazing wildlife, like rare plants or animals. Some (35) are important for their rocks and how the land was formed. And a few (9) are special for both their wildlife and their geology!
Natural England took over this important work in 2006. They use the old county maps from 1974 to decide where these sites are. So, some places you might think are in Somerset could actually be on the list for a nearby area called Avon. All the information about these sites comes from official records.
What are Sites of Special Scientific Interest?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI (pronounced "S-S-S-I"), is a special area that is protected by law. This protection helps to make sure that the important wildlife or geological features in these areas are kept safe for the future. It's like giving a special badge to a place that needs extra care.
Why are SSSIs important?
SSSIs are super important for many reasons:
- Protecting Wildlife: They provide safe homes for rare and endangered plants and animals.
- Studying Nature: Scientists can learn a lot about how nature works by studying these undisturbed areas.
- Understanding Earth's History: Geological SSSIs show us how the Earth has changed over millions of years.
- Enjoying Nature: Many SSSIs are places where people can visit and enjoy the beauty of nature, like walking or birdwatching.
Who looks after SSSIs?
Natural England is the main group in England that looks after SSSIs. They work with landowners and other organizations to make sure these sites are managed properly. This might involve making sure certain plants are not removed or that habitats for animals are kept healthy.
Some Amazing SSSIs in Somerset
Somerset is full of incredible SSSIs. Here are just a few examples from the long list:
Cheddar Complex
Cheddar Complex is a huge and famous SSSI. It's special for both its wildlife and its amazing geology. You might know it for the famous Cheddar Gorge, with its towering cliffs and deep caves. It's a great place to see how ancient rocks were formed and to find unique cave-dwelling creatures.
Exmoor Coastal Heaths
The Exmoor Coastal Heaths are found along the coast of Exmoor. This SSSI is important for its unique plants and animals that thrive in the windy, open spaces near the sea. It's a beautiful area with wide-open views and special types of heather and grasses.
Bridgwater Bay
Bridgwater Bay is a very large SSSI, covering over 3,500 hectares! It's mainly protected for its incredible wildlife, especially birds. It's a vital spot for many different types of birds that come to feed and rest, especially during their long migrations.
Wookey Hole Caves
The Wookey Hole Caves are another SSSI that's special for both its wildlife and geology. These famous caves are home to unique cave formations and creatures that have adapted to living in the dark, damp environment. They show us how water can carve out incredible shapes in rock over time.
List of Special Sites in Somerset
Here is a list of some of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset. The table shows if a site is special for its plants and animals (Biological interest), its rocks and land (Geological interest), or both! It also shows how big the site is and when it was first protected.
Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Site name | Reason for designation | Area | Grid reference | Year in which notified | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological interest | Geological interest | Hectares | Acres | ||||
Aller and Beer Woods | ![]() |
56.9 | 140.6 | ST404305 | 1952 | Map | |
Aller Hill | ![]() |
18.4 | 45.4 | ST408291 | 1988 | Map | |
Asham Wood | ![]() |
141.6 | 347.5 | ST705460 | 1963 | Map | |
Axbridge Hill and Fry's Hill | ![]() |
67.1 | 160.1 | ST433555 | 1990 | Map | |
Babcary Meadows | ![]() |
13.6 | 31.6 | ST567293 | 1988 | Map | |
River Barle | ![]() |
104.2 | 257.5 | SS723423 | 1997 | Map | |
Barle Valley | ![]() |
622.9 | 1,539.2 | SS850349 | 1954 | Map | |
Barrington Hill Meadows | ![]() |
16.1 | 39.5 | ST300170 | 1987 | Map | |
Ben Knowle | ![]() |
1.5 | 3.6 | ST513450 | 1984 | Map | |
Berrow Dunes | ![]() |
200.0 | 494.3 | ST293520 | 1952 | Map | |
Black Down and Sampford Commons | ![]() |
155.2 | 383.5 | ST118161 | 1952 | Map | |
Blue Anchor to Lilstock Coast | ![]() |
742.8 | 1,835.5 | ST033435 | 1971 | Map | |
Brean Down | ![]() |
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65.1 | 169.7 | ST290590 | 1952 | Map |
Bridgwater Bay | ![]() |
3,574.1 | 8,831.6 | ST290480 | 1989 | Map | |
Briggins Moor | ![]() |
15.3 | 37.8 | SS893250 | 1994 | Map | |
Brimble Pit and Cross Swallet Basins | ![]() |
154.3 | 381.3 | ST512505 | 1987 | Map | |
Bruton Railway Cutting | ![]() |
1.7 | 4.3 | ST688348 | 1971 | Map | |
Catcott Edington and Chilton Moors | ![]() |
1,083.0 | 2,676.0 | ST390420 | 1967 | Map | |
Chancellor's Farm | ![]() |
34.2 | 84.6 | ST525525 | 1984 | Map | |
Cheddar Complex | ![]() |
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441.3 | 1,090.5 | ST465538 | 1952 | Map |
Cheddar Reservoir | ![]() |
105.4 | 260.6 | ST441537 | 1972 | Map | |
Cheddar Wood | ![]() |
86.9 | 214.7 | ST445552 | 1967 | Map | |
Cleeve Hill | ![]() |
15.1 | 37.4 | ST056428 | 1989 | Map | |
Cloford Quarry | ![]() |
38.9 | 98.6 | ST718444 | 1994 | Map | |
Cogley Wood | ![]() |
60.7 | 150.1 | ST703345 | 1987 | Map | |
Cook's Wood Quarry | ![]() |
1.8 | 4.4 | ST669479 | 1988 | Map | |
Crook Peak to Shute Shelve Hill | ![]() |
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332.2 | 820.9 | ST385555 | 1952 | Map |
Curry and Hay Moors | ![]() |
472.8 | 1,168.1 | ST323273 | 1992 | Map | |
Deadman | ![]() |
28.8 | 71.2 | ST234156 | 1987 | Map | |
Doulting Railway Cutting | ![]() |
2.8 | 6.9 | ST645424 | 1971 | Map | |
Draycott Sleights | ![]() |
62.0 | 153.0 | ST483518 | 1987 | Map | |
Dunster Park and Heathlands | ![]() |
466.6 | 1,153.0 | SS955441 | 2000 | Map | |
East Polden Grasslands | ![]() |
124.0 | 306.4 | ST474325 | 1999 | Map | |
Ebbor Gorge | ![]() |
41.0 | 156.8 | ST525485 | 1952 | Map | |
Edford Woods and Meadows | ![]() |
54.3 | 134.1 | ST665485 | 1957 | Map | |
Emborough Quarries | ![]() |
1.0 | 2.5 | ST623505 | 1971 | Map | |
Exmoor Coastal Heaths | ![]() |
1,758.3 | 4,344.7 | SS620480 | 1994 | Map | |
Fivehead Arable Fields | ![]() |
10.3 | 25.4 | ST337224 | 1990 | Map | |
Fivehead Woods and Meadow | ![]() |
62.4 | 154.2 | ST331231 | 1989 | Map | |
Freshmoor | ![]() |
11.2 | 27.7 | ST280125 | 1989 | Map | |
Friar's Oven | ![]() |
4.0 | 9.9 | ST592431 | 1989 | Map | |
Ge-mare Farm Fields | ![]() |
4.1 | 10.3 | ST155424 | 1988 | Map | |
Glenthorne | ![]() |
13.3 | 32.8 | SS794499 | 1989 | Map | |
Godminster Lane Quarry and Railway Cutting | ![]() |
0.8 | 1.9 | ST682345 | 1971 | Map | |
Great Breach and Copley Woods | ![]() |
64.8 | 160.0 | ST500320 | 1972 | Map | |
Greylake | ![]() |
9.3 | 22.9 | ST384336 | 1987 | Map | |
Grove Farm | ![]() |
36.5 | 90.2 | ST513096 | 1989 | Map | |
Ham Hill | ![]() |
11.1 | 27.6 | ST482162 | 1971 | Map | |
Hardington Moor | ![]() |
8.7 | 21.6 | ST515130 | 1994 | Map | |
Hestercombe House | ![]() |
<0.1 | 0.2 | ST242287 | 2000 | Map | |
Hobbs Quarry | ![]() |
0.5 | 0.1 | ST622446 | 1984 | Map | |
Holme Moor & Clean Moor | ![]() |
10.8 | 26.7 | ST095260 | 1987 | Map | |
Holwell Quarries | ![]() |
1.3 | 3.2 | ST726450 | 1952 | Map | |
Hurcott Farm | ![]() |
26.3 | 65.0 | ST511295 | 1993 | Map | |
Hurcott Lane Cutting | ![]() |
0.5 | 1.2 | ST398163 | 1997 | Map | |
King's Sedgemoor | ![]() |
822.0 | 2,031.2 | ST400330 | 1985 | Map | |
Kingdown and Middledown | ![]() |
5.7 | 14.1 | ST480532 | 1991 | Map | |
Kingweston Meadows | ![]() |
11.5 | 28.4 | ST540304 | 1990 | Map | |
Lamb Leer | ![]() |
14.6 | 36.0 | ST544550 | 1983 | Map | |
Lang's Farm | ![]() |
7.5 | 18.5 | ST170241 | 1990 | Map | |
Langford Heathfield | ![]() |
95.4 | 235.7 | ST100235 | 1966 | Map | |
Langmead and Weston Level | ![]() |
168.8 | 417.1 | ST353330 | 1991 | Map | |
Langport Railway Cutting | ![]() |
0.5 | 1.3 | ST427272 | 1992 | Map | |
Laycock Railway Cutting | ![]() |
1.3 | 3.1 | ST678213 | 1993 | Map | |
Leighton Road Cutting | ![]() |
0.6 | 1.4 | ST702437 | 1984 | Map | |
Long Dole Wood and Meadows | ![]() |
9.8 | 24.3 | ST610562 | 1997 | Map | |
Long Lye | ![]() |
11.7 | 29.0 | ST265122 | 1988 | Map | |
Long Lye Meadow | ![]() |
3.3 | 8.2 | ST267119 | 2002 | Map | |
Longleat Woods | ![]() |
249.9 | 617.4 | ST795435 | 1972 | Map | |
Low Ham | ![]() |
5.0 | 12.5 | ST440290 | 1988 | Map | |
Maes Down | ![]() |
0.2 | 0.4 | ST647406 | 1985 | Map | |
Maesbury Railway Cutting | ![]() |
2.0 | 5.0 | ST606475 | 1995 | Map | |
Miller's Hill, Milborne Wick | ![]() |
0.6 | 1.4 | ST663205 | 1985 | Map | |
Millwater | ![]() |
1.4 | 3.5 | ST439100 | 1989 | Map | |
Moon's Hill Quarry | ![]() |
3.4 | 8.5 | ST665460 | 1996 | Map | |
Moorlinch | ![]() |
226.0 | 558.4 | ST390360 | 1985 | Map | |
Nettlecombe Park | ![]() |
90.4 | 223.4 | ST055375 | 1990 | Map | |
North Brewham Meadows | ![]() |
8.9 | 21.9 | ST743379 | 1987 | Map | |
North Curry Meadow | ![]() |
1.3 | 3.1 | ST330253 | 1989 | Map | |
North Exmoor | ![]() |
12,005.3 | 29,665.0 | SS800430 | 1954 | Map | |
North Moor | ![]() |
676.3 | 1,671.1 | ST325305 | 1986 | Map | |
Old Ironstone Works, Mells | ![]() |
0.3 | 0.6 | ST738488 | 1987 | Map | |
The Perch | ![]() |
72.1 | 178.2 | ST480532 | 1990 | Map | |
Porlock Ridge and Saltmarsh | ![]() |
![]() |
186.3 | 460.4 | SS880479 | 1990 | Map |
Postlebury Wood | ![]() |
87.0 | 215.0 | ST740430 | 1987 | Map | |
Priddy Caves | ![]() |
67.1 | 167.0 | ST540505 | 1965 | Map | |
Priddy Pools | ![]() |
![]() |
52.7 | 130.2 | ST545510 | 1972 | Map |
Prior's Park & Adcombe Wood | ![]() |
103.6 | 256.0 | ST225170 | 1952 | Map | |
Quantocks | ![]() |
2,506.9 | 6,194.5 | ST140390 | 1970 | Map | |
Quants | ![]() |
50.6 | 126.0 | ST185175 | 1988 | Map | |
Ringdown | ![]() |
4.0 | 9.9 | ST178155 | 1990 | Map | |
Rodney Stoke | ![]() |
![]() |
69.6 | 172.0 | ST492507 | 1957 | Map |
Roebuck Meadows | ![]() |
3.6 | 8.9 | ST132354 | 1988 | Map | |
Ruttersleigh | ![]() |
97.0 | 239.7 | ST250165 | 1991 | Map | |
Sandpit Hole and Bishop's Lot | ![]() |
0.7 | 1.8 | ST531498 | 1987 | Map | |
Seavington St. Mary | ![]() |
0.3 | 0.7 | ST400144 | 1971 | Map | |
Severn Estuary | ![]() |
15,950.0 | 39,410.0 | ST480830 | 1976 | Map | |
Shapwick Heath | ![]() |
394.0 | 973.6 | ST430403 | 1967 | Map | |
Sharpham Moor Plot | ![]() |
0.5 | 1.3 | ST465389 | 1967 | Map | |
Shepton Montague Railway Cutting | ![]() |
1.6 | 4.0 | ST686316 | 1992 | Map | |
Snowdon Hill Quarry | ![]() |
0.6 | 1.6 | ST312089 | 1963 | Map | |
South Exmoor | ![]() |
3,132.7 | 7,742.3 | SS880340 | 1992 | Map | |
Southey and Gotleigh Moors | ![]() |
81.3 | 200.1 | ST192110 | 1988 | Map | |
Southlake Moor | ![]() |
196.1 | 484.6 | ST370300 | 1985 | Map | |
Sparkford Wood | ![]() |
8.4 | 20.7 | ST613275 | 1954 | Map | |
St. Dunstan's Well Catchment | ![]() |
![]() |
39.8 | 98.3 | ST668475 | 1967 | Map |
Stowell Meadow | ![]() |
2.8 | 6.9 | ST333062 | 1987 | Map | |
Street Heath | ![]() |
12.5 | 31.0 | ST464394 | 1966 | Map | |
Tealham and Tadham Moors | ![]() |
917.6 | 2,267.3 | ST420450 | 1985 | Map | |
Thrupe Lane Swallet | ![]() |
0.5 | 1.2 | ST603458 | 1992 | Map | |
Thurlbear Wood and Quarrylands | ![]() |
26.7 | 65.8 | ST270210 | 1963 | Map | |
Twinhills Woods and Meadows | ![]() |
21.2 | 52.4 | ST558432 | 1990 | Map | |
Vallis Vale | ![]() |
![]() |
23.9 | 59.1 | ST755490 | 1952 | Map |
Viaduct Quarry | ![]() |
0.3 | 0.8 | ST621443 | 1984 | Map | |
Walton and Ivythorn Hills | ![]() |
34.9 | 86.1 | ST475346 | 1953 | Map | |
West Moor | ![]() |
213.0 | 526.3 | ST420220 | 1985 | Map | |
West Sedgemoor | ![]() |
1,016.0 | 2,510.0 | ST361258 | 1983 | Map | |
Westhay Heath | ![]() |
25.9 | 64.0 | ST415422 | 1990 | Map | |
Westhay Moor | ![]() |
513.7 | 1,269.3 | ST455445 | 1971 | Map | |
Wet Moor | ![]() |
491.0 | 1,214.0 | ST448244 | 1985 | Map | |
Whitevine Meadows | ![]() |
13.0 | 32.0 | ST505085 | 1979 | Map | |
Windsor Hill Marsh | ![]() |
0.8 | 2.0 | ST619454 | 1972 | Map | |
Windsor Hill Quarry | ![]() |
0.8 | 1.9 | ST615451 | 1986 | Map | |
Wookey Hole Caves | ![]() |
![]() |
39.4 | 97.4 | ST535485 | 1952 | Map |
Wookey Station | ![]() |
<0.1 | 0.1 | ST531464 | 1997 | Map | |
Woolhayes Farm | ![]() |
13.2 | 32.5 | ST315109 | 1992 | Map | |
Wurt Pit and Devil's Punchbowl | ![]() |
0.2 | 0.5 | ST543537 | 1987 | Map |