List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire

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Cleeve Common is designated a biological and geological site View across Cleeve Common - geograph.org.uk - 38060.jpg
Cleeve Common is designated a biological and geological site

This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Gloucestershire . Natural England, the designating body for SSSIs in England, uses the 1974-1996 county system, and this list follows the same approach. Some sites you may expect to find here could therefore be in the Avon list. [1] It may also be that a site may on the borders of more than one county. [2] It may also be on the country borders. [3]

Contents

Natural England chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. [4] As of 2012, there are 121 sites designated in this Area of Search, of which 69 have been designated due to their biological interest, 32 due to their geological interest, and 20 for both. [5]

Gloucestershire has 3 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty being the Cotswolds, Malvern Hills, and the Wye Valley (the latter is also partly in Wales). These areas may include several SSSIs, or be named an SSSI as is the case for the Malvern Hills. [6]

Gloucestershire has 2 designated Ramsar sites being the Severn Estuary and Walmore Common both SSSIs. [7] These two sites are also designated as Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the EC Directive on the conservation of Wild Birds. [8]

Gloucestershire has 7 recognised Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), several of which bring together more than one SSSI. These are: Cotswold Beechwoods; Dixton Wood; River Wye/ Afon Gwy; Rodborough Common; Severn Estuary; Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites/ Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena; Wye Valley Woodlands/ Coetiroedd Dyffryn Gwy. [9]

Highbury Wood SSSI [10] and the Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods SSSI [11] are national nature reserves (NNR). Lady Park Wood (part of the wood is in Gloucestershire and part in Monmouthshire) is a national nature reserve. [12]

A significant number of the SSSIs are recognised by the relevant local authorities as Key Wildlife Sites and Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites . There are c. 800 recognised Key Wildlife Sites in Gloucestershire. [13]

For other counties, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Sites

Site nameReason for designationArea [A] Grid reference [B] Year in which notifiedMap [C]
Biological interestGeological interestHectaresAcres
Alderton Hill Quarry Green check.svg0.30.8 SP006345 1997 Map
Ashleworth Ham Green check.svg104.7258.8 SO833263 1974 Map
Astridge Wood Green check.svg5.714.0 SO547088 1998 Map
Badgeworth Green check.svg3.17.6 SO911206 1954 Map
Barnsley Warren Green check.svg61.3151.0 SP055064 1954 Map
Barton Bushes Green check.svg5.714.0 SP110259 1996 Map
Bigsweir Woods Green check.svg48.2119.0 SO546060 1984 Map
Blaisdon Hall Green check.svg0.10.8 SO698170 1995 Map
Bourton Down Green check.svg11.227.6 SP142313 1974 Map
Box Farm Meadows Green check.svg8.321.0 ST865997 1985 Map
Boxwell Green check.svg5.313.2 ST816928 1954 Map
Brassey Reserve And Windrush Valley Green check.svg2.15.2 SP139223 1954 Map
Brooks Head Grove Green check.svg11.929.4 SO586145 1986 Map
Buckshraft Mine & Bradley Hill Railway Tunnel Green check.svg5.714.0 SO655123 1998 Map
Bull Cross, The Frith And Juniper Hill Green check.svgGreen check.svg42.3104.6 SO872083 1954 Map
Bushley Muzzard, Brimpsfield Green check.svg1.12.8 SO944133 1984 Map
Caerwood And Ashberry Goose House Green check.svg0.10.3 ST54719655 & ST54649657 1991 Map
Campden Tunnel Gravel Pit Green check.svg0.20.5 SP161408 1988 Map
Chaceley Meadow Green check.svg1.84.4 SO857306 1954 Map
Clarke's Pool Meadow Green check.svg1.84.4 SO668061 1954 Map
Cleeve Common Green check.svgGreen check.svg455.01,124.3 SO990260 1974 Map
Coaley Wood Quarries Green check.svg4.912.0 ST786996 1974 Map
Cockleford Marsh Green check.svg3.28.0 SO977133 1991 Map
Collinpark Wood Green check.svg66.7164.8 SO750278 1966 Map
Coombe Hill Green check.svg15.438.1 ST765942 1994 Map
Coombe Hill Canal Green check.svg20.249.8 SO887272 1954 Map
Cotswold Commons And Beechwoods Green check.svg665.51,664.4 SO900130 1954 Map
Cotswold Water Park Green check.svg135.0330.0 SU0093 SU2099 1994 Map
Crickley Hill And Barrow Wake Green check.svgGreen check.svg56.8140.3 SO929161 1974 Map
Daneway Banks Green check.svg17.042.0 SO937034 1954 Map
Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar Green check.svg0.10.1 SO672130 1988 Map
Devil's Chapel Scowles Green check.svg44.8110.9 SO606045 1998 Map
Dingle Wood Green check.svg10.024.6 SO562115 1972 Map
Dixton Wood Green check.svg13.032.5 SO979313 2000 Map
Dymock Woods Green check.svg53.0130.0 SO684288 1990 Map
Easter Park Farm Quarry Green check.svg0.20.4 SO810009 1986 Map
Edge Common Green check.svg20.550.6 SO847092 1974 Map
Edgehills Quarry Green check.svg0.41.0 SO660167 1974 Map
Elmlea Meadows Green check.svg6.917.1 SU079948 1989 Map
Foss Cross Quarry Green check.svg0.71.7 SP056092 1972 Map
Frampton Pools Green check.svg59.9147.9 SO753073 1974 Map
Garden Cliff Green check.svg5.112.6 SO718128 1954 Map
Hampen Railway Cutting Green check.svg3.99.6 SP062205 1974 Map
Haresfield Beacon Green check.svg0.71.8 SO819088 1985 Map
Harford Railway Cutting Green check.svg1.23.0 SP135218 1974 Map
Highbury Wood Green check.svg50.7123.4 SO540086 1983 Map
Hobb's Quarry, Longhope Green check.svgGreen check.svg1.02.5 SO695195 1966 Map
Hornsleasow Quarry Green check.svg3.59.6 SP131322 1974 Map
Hornsleasow Roughs Green check.svg28.269.8 SP117323 1954 Map
Hucclecote Meadows Green check.svg5.714.2 SO872163 1984 Map
Huntsman's Quarry Green check.svg1.64.0 SP125259 1974 Map
Innsworth Meadow Green check.svg2.25.4 SO851216 1979 Map
Jackdaw Quarry Green check.svg4.811.8 SP077309 1985 Map
Juniper Hill, Edgeworth Green check.svg11.327.8 SO928058 & SO928064 1974 Map
Kemble Railway Cuttings Green check.svg2.76.7 ST975976 & ST985973 & ST982989 1996 Map
Kempley Daffodil Meadow Green check.svg1.23.0 SO676301 1986 Map
Kingscote And Horsley Woods Green check.svg43.8108.2 ST831971 1966 Map
Knap House Quarry, Birdlip Green check.svg1.84.4 SO925147 1974 Map
Land Grove Quarry, Mitcheldean Green check.svg3.89.4 SO672185 1974 Map
Lark Wood Green check.svg1.12.8 SP104262 1974 Map
Leckhampton Hill And Charlton Kings Common Green check.svgGreen check.svg63.8157.7 SO952187 1954 Map
Lineover Wood Green check.svg20.350.2 SO987187 1986 Map
Longhope Hill Green check.svg0.20.5 SO693185 1989 Map
Lower Wye Gorge Green check.svgGreen check.svg65.0160.0 ST548983 & ST537967 1954 Map
Lydney Cliff Green check.svg8.019.7 SO654020 1990 Map
May Hill Green check.svgGreen check.svg32.680.6 SO695214 1954 Map
Meezy Hurst Green check.svg4.310.6 SO638089 1986 Map
Minchinhampton Common Green check.svgGreen check.svg182.7451.4 SO855010 1972 Map
Nagshead Green check.svg120.1316.6 SO608090 1972 Map
New Park Quarry Green check.svg1.33.2 SP175282 1987 Map
Nibley Knoll Green check.svg3.27.9 ST744956 1974 Map
Notgrove Railway Cutting Green check.svg1.74.2 SP086209 1974 Map
Oakenhill Railway Cutting Green check.svg0.82.0 SO630069 1985 Map
Old Bow And Old Ham Mines Green check.svg40.399.6 SO579088 1998 Map
Old River Severn, Upper Lode Green check.svg3.79.2 SO880331 1985 Map
Pennsylvania Fields, Sedbury Green check.svg27.066.8 ST542929 1985 Map
Poor's Allotment Green check.svg28.670.6 ST560990 1954 Map
Puckham Woods Green check.svg32.480.0 SP010224 1954 Map
Puddlebrook Quarry Green check.svg0.71.9 SO646183 1986 Map
Purton Passage Green check.svg4.912.1 SO687045 1966 Map
Range Farm Fields Green check.svg12.831.6 SO850130 1996 Map
River Wye Green check.svgGreen check.svgEngland: 1,159.6
Wales: 245.2
Total: 1,404.8
England: 2,865.0
Wales: 606.0
Total: 3,471.0
ST544912 SO230429 1978 Map
Robin's Wood Hill Quarry Green check.svg1.74.1 SO836148 1966 Map
Rodborough Common Green check.svgGreen check.svg116287 SO851035 1954 Map
Rough Bank, Miserden Green check.svg9.222.7 SO907087 1986 Map
Salmonsbury Meadows Green check.svgGreen check.svg18.044.0 SP178213 1985 Map
Scully Grove Quarry Green check.svg0.41.0 SO657186 1974 Map
Selsley Common Green check.svgGreen check.svg39.497.4 SO829030 1966 Map
Severn Estuary Green check.svgGreen check.svg15,950.039,410.0 ST480830 1976 Map
Severn Ham, Tewkesbury Green check.svg70.8175.0 SO885325 1974 Map
Shorn Cliff And Caswell Woods Green check.svg69.2171.0 SO540005 & SO540990 1986 Map
Slade Brook Green check.svgGreen check.svg3.68.9 SO564055 2003 Map
Soudley Ponds Green check.svg7.017.4 SO662112 1984 Map
Speech House Oaks Green check.svg16.340.2 SO622123 1972 Map
Stenders Quarry Green check.svgGreen check.svg2.86.9 SO659183 1966 Map
Stinchcombe Hill Green check.svg28.670.7 ST740983 1966 Map
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting Green check.svg2.76.7 SP063106 1987 Map
Strawberry Banks Green check.svg5.112.5 SO910033 1993 Map
Swanpool Wood And Furnace Grove Green check.svg13.633.6 SO541107 1984 Map
Swift's Hill Green check.svgGreen check.svg9.222.6 SO877067 1966 Map
Sylvan House Barn Green check.svg<0.10.1 SO534023 1995 Map
The Hudnalls Green check.svg94.4233.3 SO533030 & SO540042 & SO545046 1972 Map
The Malvern Hills Green check.svgGreen check.svg732.31,899.6 SO766472 SO758350 1954 Map
Tudor Farm Bank Green check.svg3.79.1 SO573081 1999 Map
Turvey's Piece Green check.svg1.02.5 SO882301 1993 Map
Upham Meadow And Summer Leasow Green check.svg104.0257.0 SO917375 1991 Map
Upper Severn Estuary Green check.svgGreen check.svg1,436.83,550.4 SO720060 1954 Map
Upper Wye Gorge Green check.svgGreen check.svg245.1605.7 SO560155 1969 Map
Veizey's Quarry Green check.svg1.43.5 ST881944 1974 Map
Wainlode Cliff Green check.svg1.33.2 SO845257 1954 Map
Walmore Common Green check.svg57.8142.8 SO740162 & SO745150 1955 Map
Wellacre Quarry Green check.svg12.330.4 SP180370 1974 Map
Westbury Brook Ironstone Mine Green check.svg15.738.8 SO662166 1998 Map
Whelford Meadow Green check.svg1.94.6 SP168000 1985 Map
Wigpool Ironstone Mine Green check.svg34.995.0 SO654197 1998 Map
Wildmoorway Meadows Green check.svg12.631.1 SU066973 1989 Map
Winson Meadows Green check.svg7.919.6 SP093081 1974 Map
Wood Green Quarry & Railway Cutting Green check.svg0.30.7 SO694166 1966 Map
Woodchester Park Green check.svg214.9531.0 SO820014 1966 Map
Wotton Hill Green check.svgGreen check.svg26.164.0 ST753942 1954 Map
Yarley Meadows Green check.svg12.230.2 ST757888 1987 Map

See also

Notes

A Data rounded to one decimal place.
B Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey. [14]
C Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by Natural England.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Wye</span> River in Wales and England

The River Wye is the fourth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 250 kilometres from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn Estuary. For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales. The Wye Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Wye is important for nature conservation and recreation, but is affected by pollution.

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is managed by a board of trustees elected from its membership who provide overall direction for the development of the trust and there are advisory committees. The work of the trust is carried out through staff and volunteers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May Hill, Gloucestershire</span> Hill in Gloucestershire, England

May Hill is a prominent English hill between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. Its summit, on the western edge of Gloucestershire and its northern slopes in Herefordshire, is distinguishable by a clump of trees on its summit, which forms an official Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is reached by three public footpaths, two as parts of the Gloucestershire Way and Wysis Way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workmans Wood, Sheepscombe</span>

Workmans Wood is a wood just to the east of the village of Sheepscombe, in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire. It is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest being part of the Cotswold Commons And Beechwoods SSSI. The Wood is part of a designated national nature reserve (NNR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wye Valley</span> Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales

The Wye Valley National Landscape is an internationally important protected landscape straddling the border between England and Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Park Wood National Nature Reserve</span>

Lady Park Wood National Nature Reserve is a 45-hectare (110-acre) nature reserve straddling the borders of Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in Wales. Most of the wood is in Wales – where it forms Wales' easternmost point – but it is managed under agreement with Natural England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wotton Hill</span> Hill in Gloucestershire, England

Wotton Hill is a hill on the edge of the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire, England, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) north of Wotton-under-Edge. The Cotswold Way passes over the hill.

Lower Wye Gorge is a 65-hectare (160-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified 1987. The site includes two Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves being Ban-y-gor Wood and Lancaut. The Natural England citation states a revision for Lancaut inclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Wye Gorge</span>

Upper Wye Gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), noted for its biological and geological characteristics, around Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley on the Wales–England border. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swift's Hill SSSI</span> Geological site in England

Swift's Hill is a 9.15-hectare (22.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astridge Wood</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Astridge Wood is a 19.42-hectare (48.0-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1985. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bigsweir Woods</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in England

Bigsweir Woods is a 48.16-hectare (119.0-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1984. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill is a 42.33-hectare (104.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as an SSSI and Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods is a 665.5-hectare (1,644-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highbury Wood</span>

Highbury Wood is a 50.74-hectare (125.4-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common</span>

Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common is a 63.8-hectare (158-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. There are five units of assessment.

Rough Bank, Miserden is a 9.2-hectare (23-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1986. It was purchased by the wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shorn Cliff and Caswell Woods</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Shorn Cliff And Caswell Woods is a 69.2-hectare (171-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1986. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

References

  1. For example, Midger and Lower Woods are included in the Avon list
  2. For example, see Natural England citation for 'The Malvern Hills' (retrieved 2012-08-21)
  3. For example, see Natural England citation for 'Upper Wye Gorge' (retrieved 2012-08-21)
  4. "Notification of SSSIs". Natural England. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  5. "SSSIs in Gloucestershire". Natural England. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  6. "Natural England information and map of AONBs". Natural England. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  7. "Joint Nature Conservation Committee Listing of Ramsars". DEFRA. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  8. "Joint Nature Conservation Committee Listing of Special Protection Areas". DEFRA. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  9. "Joint Nature Conservation Committee Listing of Special Areas of Conservation". DEFRA. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  10. "Natural England NNR citation and map for Highbury Wood NNR". Natural England. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  11. "Natural England NNR citation and map for the Cotswolds Commons and Beechwoods". Natural England. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  12. "Natural England NNR citation and map for Lady Park Wood (Gloucestershire)". Natural England. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  13. "Key Wildlife Sites information". Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  14. "Guide to National Grid". Ordnance Survey. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2011.

Natural England citation sheets for each SSSI. Retrieved on 18 June 2011 and 10 August 2012