Ninesprings facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ninesprings |
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A Māori sculpture at Ninesprings
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| Type | public park |
| Location | Yeovil, Somerset, England |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Operated by | South Somerset |
Ninesprings is a beautiful country park located in the South East of Yeovil, Somerset, in the United Kingdom. It is the biggest country park in South Somerset, covering more than 20 acres (about 8 hectares) of land. It's a great place for families and friends to explore nature and enjoy the outdoors.
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Discover Ninesprings Park
Ninesprings is a popular spot for walks and outdoor fun. The park gets its name from the many small springs that feed its streams and ponds. These water features add to the park's natural beauty.
A Look at the Park's History
Ninesprings was first created a long time ago, in the early 1800s. It was designed as a fancy garden for a large property called the Aldon Estate. Over the years, it has grown into the lovely woodland park we see today.
Nature and Wildlife at Ninesprings
The ground at Ninesprings is made of something called "Yeovil Sands." This is a type of yellow sand that formed about 160 million years ago! That was during the Jurassic Period, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
The park is mostly a broad-leaved woodland, which means it has trees like oaks and maples. Only a small part (less than 10%) has coniferous trees like pines. You might also spot some interesting animals here. The Water Vole, a rare animal in the UK, has been seen swimming in the park's waters. You can also see swans and other birds enjoying the ponds.
Art and Improvements in the Park
In 2007, Ninesprings received £10,000 from a special program called the Big Lottery Fund's Breathing Places. This money helped to make the park even better for visitors and wildlife.
As part of these improvements, a talented artist from New Zealand named Selwyn Price created eight amazing sculptures. These sculptures represent Māori gods, who are important figures in the traditional stories of the Māori people. You can find these unique artworks along the path between the car park and the main walking trail.
The Famous 'Yellow Brick Road'
Many local people call the main path through Ninesprings the 'yellow brick road'. This path is quite long! It starts near the BM Stores and a caravan park. It then stretches all the way to the other side of town, ending near Pen Mill railway station.
This path actually follows the old route of a railway line. It used to be part of the Great Western Railway that connected Pen Mill and Yeovil Town railway station. Along this popular path, you'll pass several well-known places. These include the Goldenstones leisure centre, the Ninesprings playground (a favorite for kids!), the ski lodge, and the Bowlplex/Cineworld complex.
Hills Around Ninesprings
As you walk through Ninesprings, you can see several hills in the distance. These include Tilly's Hill, Summerhouse Hill, and Wyndham Hill. They add to the scenic views around the park.
