Skipwith Common facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skipwith Common National Nature Reserve/SSSI/SAC
Path on Skipwith Common
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Location	Skipwith, North Yorkshire
Nearest town	Selby
OS grid	SE668362
Area	680 acres (274 hectares)
Elevation	30 feet (9 m)
Designated	SSSI - 1958 SAC - 2004 NNR - 2010
Managed by	Escrick Park Estate Natural England
Hiking trails	3
Designation	National nature reserve Special area of conservation SSSI

Skipwith Common is a special national nature reserve found south of Skipwith in North Yorkshire, England. It is one of only three places in the Vale of York that still looks like it did a long time ago. This was before lots of farming changed the land. Experts at Natural England say the reserve is "internationally important." This is because of its special "wet and dry heathland."

This area used to be "common land," meaning everyone could use it. People used it in the Bronze Age, which was thousands of years ago. Later, in the 1500s to 1700s, people dug up peat here for fuel. In the 1900s, part of it became an airfield during World War II.

Skipwith Common has special protections. It was named a SSSI in 1958. Then it became a SAC in 2004. Finally, it was made a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 2010.

History of Skipwith Common

In the 1700s, Skipwith Common was much bigger, covering about 869 acres. It curved around the village of Skipwith. Today, the common is about 234 hectares (578 acres). It used to be part of RAF Riccall, which was an air force base.

The common is about 9 meters (30 feet) above sea level. It sits between two rivers, the River Ouse and the River Derwent. This area helps separate the water flow between the two rivers. Skipwith Common has two main parts: open heathland and woodland.

Ancient Discoveries and Uses

One part of the common is called Danes Hill. Some people believe this is where the Vikings buried their soldiers. This was after they lost the Battle of Stamford Bridge. There is also a Bronze Age burial mound, called a barrow, about 800 meters (half a mile) south of Skipwith.

Many ponds on the common are from the 1800s. They were used for the flax industry. Flax plants were soaked in these ponds to prepare them for making cloth. This process, called retting, needed lots of fresh water. It was usually done far from towns because it could make the water bad.

People also dug up peat on the common for fuel. This happened a lot in the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s. York was a popular place to sell the peat. In 1903, Skipwith Common was the last large piece of common land in England to be officially divided up. This was done under a law called the Enclosure Act.

World War II and Animal Helpers

In the 1940s, the Royal Air Force used the common. They stored bombs for the nearby RAF Riccall airfield on the southwestern edge. After the Air Force left in 1957, the common was not used much. It started to get overgrown with Birch trees.

To help manage the land, sheep were brought in during 1983. They helped keep the plants from growing too wild. But the first sheep were too heavy and damaged the ground. So, in 1986, they were replaced with lighter Hebridean sheep. Today, English Longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies also graze on the common. They help keep the plants healthy.

Protecting the Land

Skipwith Common became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1958. This was because of its many different plants and insects. These include special moths like orgyia recens and chilodes maritima. This special area covers about 724 acres. In 2004, it was also named a Special Area of Conservation.

Skipwith Common shows what a lowland heath looked like before modern farming. It is one of only three such places in the Vale of York. The other two are Strensall Common and Allerthorpe Common. There is a memorial on the common to remember those who served at the RAF base during World War II.

Getting There

Buses go through the village of Skipwith. The closest train stations are at Wressle and Selby. The common is near the A19 road to the west and the A163 road to the south. Both roads have car parks at the edges of the common for visitors.

Geology of Skipwith Common

The common sits on top of sand from the Breighton Sand Formation. There is also a layer of peat on the surface. Scientists believe the sand was left here during an ice age. This happened when glaciers melted and water flowed over the Vale of York.

There is a coal seam about 900 feet (274 meters) below the surface. In 1909, people drilled test holes here. This was when the Derwent Valley Light Railway was building its train line east of Skipwith Common.

Explore the Trails

Skipwith Common is a large area. It's easy to get lost or accidentally step on plants if you go off the main paths. This can disturb the wildlife. So, three special trails have been created for visitors:

• Bombs and Lizards - This is the shortest trail. It's on the western side of the common. You can see the remains of RAF Riccall's bomb storage area. Now, many different reptiles live there.
• Hidden Archaeology - This trail helps you discover the common's long history.
• Skipwith Explorer - This trail covers most of the other two trails. It also includes a trip into the village of Skipwith itself.

What You Can See: Habitats

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) describes the different types of habitats at Skipwith Common:

• 55% - Heathland, scrub, and similar open areas.
• 27% - Woodland with broad-leaved trees that lose their leaves in autumn.
• 5% - Bogs, marshes, and areas with water-loving plants.
• 5% - Dry grasslands.
• 5% - Inland water bodies, like ponds and streams.
• 3% - Mixed woodland, with different types of trees.

Amazing Animals and Plants

Skipwith Common is home to many interesting species:

• Broadleaved helleborine - A type of orchid.
• Common twayblade - Another kind of orchid.
• Common spotted orchid - A beautiful orchid with spotted leaves.
• Great crested newts - Large newts that live in ponds.
• Nightjar - A bird that hunts at night.
• Pond mud snail - A small snail that lives in muddy ponds.
• Pirri-pirri bur - An invasive plant from Australia and New Zealand. It's thought to have arrived on the common from airmen who served at RAF Riccall during World War II.
• Round-leaved sundew - A carnivorous plant that traps insects.
• Woodlark - A small bird known for its beautiful song.
• Water vole - A small rodent that lives near water.

The Northern Mire Moss paludella squarrosa was once found here in 1916. It was one of the last places in Britain to have this plant. Sadly, it is now believed to be extinct in Britain.