Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills

Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills is an 86.1 hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest in Sharpenhoe in Bedfordshire. Most of it is a National Trust property comprising Sundon Hills, Moleskin and Markham Hills, Sharpenhoe Clappers and Smithcombe Hills. It is part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Sharpenhoe Clappers is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (for its prehistoric and medieval features).[1][2][3]

Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills
Site of Special Scientific Interest
View of Sharpenhoe
Area of SearchBedfordshire
Grid referenceTL063298
InterestBiological
Area86.1 hectares
Notification1985
Location mapMagic Map

Much of the site is unimproved chalk grassland with many plants which are now rare, and Festuca ovina is dominant over large areas. Orchids include Herminium monorchis and Aceras anthropophorum. An uncommon rose, Rosa stylosa, is found in scrub areas. There is also beech forest with a ground layer including primroses.[1]

Clappers are rabbit warrens (from the French "clapier"), and meat, fur and leather from rabbits used to be an important part of the local economy.[4] Sharpenhoe Clappers is an Iron Age hill fort, together with medieval rabbit warrens and associated agricultural earthworks.[5]

There is access to the National Trust property from Sharpenhoe Road.[3]


References
  1. "Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. "Map of Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  3. "Sharpenhoe". National Trust. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  4. "Sharpenhoe Clappers". Chilterns Conservation Board. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  5. Historic England. "Sharpenhoe Clappers (1009400)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 31 August 2015.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.