Penn's Rocks facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | East Sussex |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 10.2 hectares (25 acres) |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Penn's Rocks is a special natural area in East Sussex, England. It's located north of Crowborough. This place is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It covers about 10.2 hectares, which is roughly the size of 25 football fields! It's protected because it has unique plants and a very rare type of habitat.
What Makes Penn's Rocks Special?
This area is a deep valley with steep sides. The ground is made of sandstone. This kind of place is perfect for many small plants like mosses and liverworts to grow. What makes Penn's Rocks truly special is that this type of habitat is very rare in the United Kingdom.
Unique Plants and Habitat
Mosses and liverworts are tiny, non-flowering plants. They often grow in damp, shady places. At Penn's Rocks, you can find some very unusual kinds. These include:
- Orthodontium gracile
- Bazzania trilobata
- Saccogyna viticulosa
- Harpanthus scutatus
These plants are uncommon and need very specific conditions to thrive. Their presence makes Penn's Rocks an important place for scientists to study. It helps us understand and protect rare plant life.
Visiting Penn's Rocks
Penn's Rocks is made up of four separate areas. You can explore one of these areas using a public footpath. This path lets you see some of the beautiful natural features of the site.
However, the other three areas are private land. This means they are not open to the public. It's important to respect private property and stay on the marked footpaths. This helps protect the delicate environment and its rare plants.
