List of downs facts for kids

Down is a word you'll often see in the names of places, especially in England. When you see "Down" in a place name, it usually means that the area is a type of hill called a downland. These are often rolling hills made of chalk, which is a soft, white rock. They are usually covered in grass and are great places for walking and enjoying nature. Many towns, villages, and natural areas have "Down" in their name because they are located on or near these special hills.

What are Downlands?

Downlands are a unique type of landscape, mostly found in southern England. Imagine gentle, rolling hills that look like giant green waves. These hills are often made of chalk, which is why they are sometimes called "chalk downs." Because the soil on these hills is thin and chalky, it's not always easy to grow crops there. Instead, they are often covered in short, grassy fields.

Nature on the Downs

These grassy hills are home to many different kinds of plants and animals. You might find rare wildflowers, butterflies, and birds that love open spaces. Many downlands are protected areas, like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which means they are important for nature and wildlife. People also use these areas for grazing sheep, which helps keep the grass short and healthy for other plants to grow.

History on the Downs

Downlands have been important to people for thousands of years. Ancient people often built their homes, forts, and burial mounds on these hills because they offered good views and were easy to defend. You can still find signs of these old settlements, like Iron Age hill forts and Neolithic burial sites, on many downs today.

Places with "Down" in Their Name

Many places across England, and a few in other parts of the UK and even beyond, have "Down" in their name. This shows how common and important these chalk hills are to the geography of these areas. Here are a few examples:

Villages and Towns

• Charlton Down: A village in Dorset, England.
• Crawley Down: A village in West Sussex, England.
• Downe: A village in Greater London, England, which used to be known simply as "Down."
• Old Down: A hamlet in South Gloucestershire, England.
• Perham Down: A village in Wiltshire, England.

Hills and Natural Areas

• Afton Down: A chalk down on the Isle of Wight, a large island off the south coast of England.
• Ballard Down: Part of the Purbeck Hills in Dorset, England, known for its beautiful views of the coast.
• Black Down, Somerset: The highest hill in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
• Culver Down: Another chalk down on the Isle of Wight, famous for its white cliffs.
• Fyfield Down: Part of the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, England, known for its ancient stones.
• Tennyson Down: A hill at the western end of the Isle of Wight, named after the famous poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
• Twyford Down: An area of chalk downland in Hampshire, England, known for its environmental importance.

Special Sites

• MoD Boscombe Down: An important aircraft testing site in Wiltshire, England.
• Copehill Down: A training facility for the UK military on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.
• Porton Down: A UK government science park that does research for defense and security.
• Normanton Down Barrows: An ancient burial ground near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, with many burial mounds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Battles on Downs

Some important historical battles have taken place on these open, elevated "downs." The clear views and open ground made them strategic locations for armies.

• Battle of Hingston Down: Fought in 838 AD at Hingston Down in Cornwall. This battle was between the Cornish people and their Viking allies against the West Saxons.
• Battle of Roundway Down: This battle happened in 1643 during the First English Civil War. It was a significant victory for the Royalist forces.
• Battle of Sourton Down: Also fought in 1643 during the First English Civil War, near Sourton in Devon.
• Battle of Stalling Down: Took place in 1403 between supporters of the Welsh leader Owain Glyndŵr and King Henry IV of England.

See also

• Downland
• Down (disambiguation)
• Down (surname)
• Downs (disambiguation)