Portsdown

Last updated
Portsdown
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Chalk grasslands on Portsdown Hill - geograph.org.uk - 1014122.jpg
Location Hampshire
Grid reference SU 640 065 [1]
InterestBiological
Area69.1 hectares (171 acres) [1]
Notification 1984 [1]
Location map Magic Map

Portsdown is a 69.1-hectare (171-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on Portsdown Hill, on the northern outskirts of Portsmouth in Hampshire. [1] [2]

This is a linear south-facing escarpment with a rich chalk grassland flora. The diverse insect fauna includes all the chalk downland butterflies and a population of the largest British bush cricket, Tettigonia viridissima . On the lower slopes, raised beaches indicate former sea levels. [3]

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Portsdown Hill is a long chalk ridge in Hampshire, England. The highest point of the hill lies within Fort Southwick at 131m above sea level. The ridge offers good views to the south over Portsmouth, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport, with the Isle of Wight beyond. The hill is on the mainland, just to the north of Ports Creek, which separates the mainland from Portsea Island, on which lies the main part of the city of Portsmouth, one of the United Kingdom's main naval bases. To the north lies the Forest of Bere, with the South Downs visible in the distance. Butser Hill can be seen on a clear day. The hill is formed from an inlier of chalk which has been brought to the surface by an east–west upfold of the local strata known as the Portsdown Anticline.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Portsdown". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. "Map of Portsdown". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. "Portsdown citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.

Coordinates: 50°51′14″N1°05′31″W / 50.854°N 1.092°W / 50.854; -1.092