Staverton Park and The Thicks, Wantisden facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 80.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Staverton Park and The Thicks, Wantisden is a very special natural area located in Suffolk, England. It covers about 80.8 hectares, which is roughly the size of 113 football fields! This amazing place is protected because of its unique plants and animals.
It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for wildlife and geology. It's also a Special Area of Conservation, which is an even higher level of protection across Europe. You can find it within the beautiful Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Contents
What Makes Staverton Park Special?
Staverton Park and The Thicks is an ancient woodland. This means it has been a forest for a very long time, possibly for hundreds or even thousands of years! The soil here is sandy, which is perfect for the types of trees and plants that grow.
Ancient Trees and Plants
The park is famous for its very old Oak trees. Many of these oaks are "pollarded," which means their upper branches were cut back regularly a long time ago. This made them grow thick, strong trunks and lots of new shoots. It's a traditional way of managing trees.
The area called "The Thicks" is a dense forest filled with Holly trees. Some of these holly trees are thought to be the biggest in all of Britain! Imagine how old and tall they must be.
Tiny Life: Lichens and Invertebrates
Besides the big trees, the park is home to a rich variety of smaller life. There's a special collection of Lichens here. Lichens are like tiny, colorful patches that grow on trees and rocks. They are actually two living things (a fungus and an algae) growing together!
The park also has many different Invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like insects, spiders, and snails. Some of the invertebrates found here are very rare, meaning you won't find them in many other places. This makes the park super important for protecting these unique creatures.
Visiting Staverton Park
Even though Staverton Park and The Thicks is private land, there is a public footpath that goes right through it. This means you can walk along the path and enjoy the amazing nature, but you should always stay on the path and respect the private property. It's a great place to see ancient trees and maybe even spot some rare wildlife!
