Bacombe and Coombe Hills
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Ridgeway on Bacombe Hill
LocationBuckinghamshire
Grid referenceSP852068
InterestBiological
Area76.4 hectares
Notification1999
Location mapMagic Map

Bacombe and Coombe Hills is a 76.4-hectare (189-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Upper Bacombe in Buckinghamshire.[1][2] Bacombe Hill was formerly owned by Buckinghamshire County Council, which transferred it to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust in 2014.[3][4] Coombe Hill is owned by the National Trust.[5]

The site is in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty[6] and Bacombe Hill is a Local Nature Reserve.[7][8] The Ridgeway National Trail crosses the site.[6]

The site is chalk grassland which has a rich variety of species. including the entire British population of fringed gentian, and there are areas of juniper and mixed scrub. Invertebrates include scarce species, such as chalkhill blue and brown argus butterflies.[1] Bacombe Hill is noted for orchids.[7]

There is access from Ellesbrough Road.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Bacombe and Coombe Hills citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Map of Bacombe and Coombe Hills". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Officer Executive Decision - Divestment of land at Bacombe Hill to Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust" (PDF). Buckinghamshire County Council. 5 October 2014.
  4. ^ "COMMUNITY WILDLIFE OFFICER (BUCKS)" (PDF). Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Chilterns Countryside". National Trust. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Bacombe Hill Local Nature Reserve". Chilterns Conservation Board. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Bacombe Hill". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Map of Bacombe Hill". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 4 January 2015.

External links

51°45′12″N 0°46′02″W / 51.7534°N 0.7671°W / 51.7534; -0.7671

Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Buckinghamshire
Local nature reserves in Buckinghamshire
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Categories