West Stow Heath facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
West Stow Lake
|
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 44.3 hectares |
| Notification | 1983 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
West Stow Heath is a special natural area located west of West Stow in Suffolk, England. It covers about 44.3 hectares, which is roughly the size of 100 football fields! This important place is protected because it's home to many unique plants and animals. It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short.
West Stow Heath is also part of a bigger protected area called the Breckland Special Protection Area. This larger area helps to protect wild birds across Europe, following rules set by the European Union.
Contents
What Makes West Stow Heath Special?
West Stow Heath has many different types of natural environments, called habitats. These include:
- Grasslands
- Heathland
- Wet woodlands
- Scrub areas
- Dry woodlands
- Old gravel pits that are now filled with water
This mix of habitats means many different plants and animals can live here. It's like a big natural puzzle with all the pieces fitting together!
Rare Plants of the Grassland
The grasslands at West Stow Heath are very important. They are home to three plants that are considered nationally rare. This means they are not found in many other places in the country. These special plants are:
- Glaucous fescue (Festuca caesia)
- Thymus serpyllum (a type of wild thyme)
- Spring speedwell (Veronica verna)
Finding these rare plants here shows how important it is to protect this area.
Water Features
Some parts of West Stow Heath used to be places where gravel was dug out of the ground. Over time, these old gravel workings have filled with water. They have now become open water areas, creating new habitats for water-loving plants and animals.
Visiting West Stow Heath
You can explore West Stow Heath by using the public footpaths. These paths allow visitors to walk through and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. One way to access the heath is from the nearby West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, which is another interesting place to visit.
