Roundton Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundton Hill |
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Roundton Hill viewed from the northeast
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| Location | Church Stoke, Powys |
| Operated by | Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust |
| Status | SSSI |
Roundton Hill is a unique and steep hill located in Powys, Wales. It sits very close to the border with England, near the village of Church Stoke. This rounded hill, which stands about 369 meters (1,210 feet) tall, was actually formed by ancient volcanoes.
Today, Roundton Hill is a special nature reserve. This means it's a protected area where wildlife can thrive. The Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has been looking after the hill since 1985, making sure its plants and animals are safe.
Discovering Roundton Hill
Roundton Hill is known for its steep sides and rounded top. It's a great spot to explore nature and learn about history. The hill's unique shape comes from its volcanic past.
A Look Back in Time
Long, long ago, during the British Iron Age, people built a hillfort on top of Roundton Hill. A hillfort was a large, protected settlement. People lived inside its walls for safety. From this high point, they could see far across the land. This gave them a great view of any approaching dangers.
You can still see amazing views from Roundton Hill today. To the north, you can spot Corndon Hill. Looking west, you can see the distant Cambrian Mountains.
Nature's Home
Roundton Hill is also home to some interesting wildlife. There are old mines that go into the hill. These mines were once used to dig for Lead and Barytes, which are types of minerals.
Today, these old mine tunnels are not used by people. Instead, they have become a safe place for bats to live. Two types of bats, the Horseshoe bat and the Daubenton's bat, use these dark tunnels as a roost. A roost is a place where bats rest during the day.
The steep, rocky slopes of Roundton Hill have never been plowed for farming. This is important because it means special plants can still grow there. One of these plants is the mountain pansy. This beautiful flower has disappeared from many other hills in mid-Wales, but it still thrives on Roundton Hill.
Because of its special plants and animals, Roundton Hill was made a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1986. An SSSI is an area that is protected by law because it has important wildlife or geology.
