Maidscross Hill facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Sculpture by Anita Rivera at Maidscross Hill
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| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 44.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Maidscross Hill is a special place in Suffolk, near the town of Lakenheath. It's a large area of land, about 44.8 hectares, which is like 110 football fields! This area is very important for nature.
It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the government protects it because it has rare plants or animals, or special geology. A bigger part of Maidscross Hill, about 49.8 hectares, is also a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a place where people can enjoy nature and learn about it.
Contents
Why Maidscross Hill is Special
Maidscross Hill is a very dry grassland. This type of habitat is quite rare in the UK. It's home to some amazing and unusual plants.
Rare Plants You Can Find
This special grassland has four plants that are very rare in the whole country:
- Breckland wild thyme
- Spanish catchfly
- grape hyacinth
- sickle medick
These plants need the dry, sandy soil found at Maidscross Hill to grow. They are a big reason why this area is protected.
A Home for Birds
The land at Maidscross Hill is not grazed by animals like sheep or cows. This has allowed some plants, like bracken and scrub, to grow taller. While this can sometimes be a problem, here it has created more places for birds to build their nests. It's a safe haven for many different bird species.
Visiting Maidscross Hill
If you want to explore this interesting nature spot, you can find access from Broom Road and Maids Cross Hill. It's a great place to see unique plants and enjoy nature.
