Saltbox Hill facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 22.2 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Saltbox Hill is a really special natural place in Biggin Hill, which is in the London Borough of Bromley. It covers about 22.2 hectares, which is like 55 football fields! This area is so important for nature that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its rare plants, animals, or geology.
Part of Saltbox Hill is looked after by the London Wildlife Trust, a group that helps protect wild places in London. It's also known as a Site of Metropolitan Importance, showing how valuable it is for the whole city's wildlife. Did you know that the famous scientist Charles Darwin lived nearby at Down House? He even visited Saltbox Hill for picnics and found inspiration for his work here!
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What Makes Saltbox Hill Special?
Saltbox Hill is mostly made up of a unique type of land called chalk grassland. This kind of grassland grows on chalky soil and is home to many plants that are hard to find anywhere else in Greater London. It's a very important habitat for many different creatures.
Amazing Plants and Flowers
If you visit Saltbox Hill, you'll see a wonderful variety of plants. The chalk grassland is perfect for many types of wildflowers. Some of these plants are quite rare in London, making Saltbox Hill a really important place to protect them.
One of the most exciting finds here are orchids. Scientists have counted ten different kinds of orchids growing at Saltbox Hill! These beautiful flowers add lots of color and life to the area.
Incredible Butterflies and Insects
Saltbox Hill is a paradise for butterflies. Over thirty different kinds of butterflies have been seen fluttering around this site! It's one of only two places in all of London where you can find the beautiful dark green fritillary butterfly.
These butterflies love the special plants that grow in the chalk grassland. They lay their eggs on certain plants, and their caterpillars eat the leaves. This makes the grassland a perfect home for their entire life cycle. Besides butterflies, many other insects and small creatures also live here, making it a buzzing ecosystem.
Woodland Areas
While most of Saltbox Hill is chalk grassland, there are also areas of woodland. These trees provide different habitats for animals and plants. The mix of grassland and woodland makes the site even richer in biodiversity. It's like having two different natural worlds in one place!
Protecting Saltbox Hill
Saltbox Hill was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985. However, by 1999, this amazing place was in danger. It was starting to suffer from not being looked after properly.
The London Wildlife Trust stepped in to help. They started an appeal to raise money and save Saltbox Hill. Their goal was to buy the entire site to protect it forever. While they couldn't buy all of it, they did manage to purchase about seventeen acres. This part of Saltbox Hill is now carefully managed to keep it healthy and full of wildlife.
How to Visit Saltbox Hill
Saltbox Hill is a great place to explore nature. You can get to the site from Hanbury Drive and also from the road called Saltbox Hill. It's a wonderful spot for a walk and to discover the amazing plants and animals that live there. Remember to stay on paths and respect the wildlife when you visit!
