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]

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 name Reason for designation Area[A] Grid reference[B] Year in which notified Map[C]
Biological interest Geological interest Hectares Acres
Alderton Hill Quarry Green tickY 0.3 0.8 SP006345 1997 Map
Ashleworth Ham Green tickY 104.7 258.8 SO833263 1974 Map
Astridge Wood Green tickY 5.7 14.0 SO547088 1998 Map
Badgeworth Green tickY 3.1 7.6 SO911206 1954 Map
Barnsley Warren Green tickY 61.3 151.0 SP055064 1954 Map
Barton Bushes Green tickY 5.7 14.0 SP110259 1996 Map
Bigsweir Woods Green tickY 48.2 119.0 SO546060 1984 Map
Blaisdon Hall Green tickY 0.1 0.8 SO698170 1995 Map
Bourton Down Green tickY 11.2 27.6 SP142313 1974 Map
Box Farm Meadows Green tickY 8.3 21.0 ST865997 1985 Map
Boxwell Green tickY 5.3 13.2 ST816928 1954 Map
Brassey Reserve And Windrush Valley Green tickY 2.1 5.2 SP139223 1954 Map
Brooks Head Grove Green tickY 11.9 29.4 SO586145 1986 Map
Buckshraft Mine & Bradley Hill Railway Tunnel Green tickY 5.7 14.0 SO655123 1998 Map
Bull Cross, The Frith And Juniper Hill Green tickY Green tickY 42.3 104.6 SO872083 1954 Map
Bushley Muzzard, Brimpsfield Green tickY 1.1 2.8 SO944133 1984 Map
Caerwood And Ashberry Goose House Green tickY 0.1 0.3 ST54719655& ST54649657 1991 Map
Campden Tunnel Gravel Pit Green tickY 0.2 0.5 SP161408 1988 Map
Chaceley Meadow Green tickY 1.8 4.4 SO857306 1954 Map
Clarke's Pool Meadow Green tickY 1.8 4.4 SO668061 1954 Map
Cleeve Common Green tickY Green tickY 455.0 1,124.3 SO990260 1974 Map
Coaley Wood Quarries Green tickY 4.9 12.0 ST786996 1974 Map
Cockleford Marsh Green tickY 3.2 8.0 SO977133 1991 Map
Collinpark Wood Green tickY 66.7 164.8 SO750278 1966 Map
Coombe Hill Green tickY 15.4 38.1 ST765942 1994 Map
Coombe Hill Canal Green tickY 20.2 49.8 SO887272 1954 Map
Cotswold Commons And Beechwoods Green tickY 665.5 1,664.4 SO900130 1954 Map
Cotswold Water Park Green tickY 135.0 330.0 SU0093 – SU2099 1994 Map
Crickley Hill And Barrow Wake Green tickY Green tickY 56.8 140.3 SO929161 1974 Map
Daneway Banks Green tickY 17.0 42.0 SO937034 1954 Map
Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar Green tickY 0.1 0.1 SO672130 1988 Map
Devil's Chapel Scowles Green tickY 44.8 110.9 SO606045 1998 Map
Dingle Wood Green tickY 10.0 24.6 SO562115 1972 Map
Dixton Wood Green tickY 13.0 32.5 SO979313 2000 Map
Dymock Woods Green tickY 53.0 130.0 SO684288 1990 Map
Easter Park Farm Quarry Green tickY 0.2 0.4 SO810009 1986 Map
Edge Common Green tickY 20.5 50.6 SO847092 1974 Map
Edgehills Quarry Green tickY 0.4 1.0 SO660167 1974 Map
Elmlea Meadows Green tickY 6.9 17.1 SU079948 1989 Map
Foss Cross Quarry Green tickY 0.7 1.7 SP056092 1972 Map
Frampton Pools Green tickY 59.9 147.9 SO753073 1974 Map
Garden Cliff Green tickY 5.1 12.6 SO718128 1954 Map
Hampen Railway Cutting Green tickY 3.9 9.6 SP062205 1974 Map
Haresfield Beacon Green tickY 0.7 1.8 SO819088 1985 Map
Harford Railway Cutting Green tickY 1.2 3.0 SP135218 1974 Map
Highbury Wood Green tickY 50.7 123.4 SO540086 1983 Map
Hobb's Quarry, Longhope Green tickY Green tickY 1.0 2.5 SO695195 1966 Map
Hornsleasow Quarry Green tickY 3.5 9.6 SP131322 1974 Map
Hornsleasow Roughs Green tickY 28.2 69.8 SP117323 1954 Map
Hucclecote Meadows Green tickY 5.7 14.2 SO872163 1984 Map
Huntsman's Quarry Green tickY 1.6 4.0 SP125259 1974 Map
Innsworth Meadow Green tickY 2.2 5.4 SO851216 1979 Map
Jackdaw Quarry Green tickY 4.8 11.8 SP077309 1985 Map
Juniper Hill, Edgeworth Green tickY 11.3 27.8 SO928058 & SO928064 1974 Map
Kemble Railway Cuttings Green tickY 2.7 6.7 ST975976 & ST985973 & ST982989 1996 Map
Kempley Daffodil Meadow Green tickY 1.2 3.0 SO676301 1986 Map
Kingscote And Horsley Woods Green tickY 43.8 108.2 ST831971 1966 Map
Knap House Quarry, Birdlip Green tickY 1.8 4.4 SO925147 1974 Map
Land Grove Quarry, Mitcheldean Green tickY 3.8 9.4 SO672185 1974 Map
Lark Wood Green tickY 1.1 2.8 SP104262 1974 Map
Leckhampton Hill And Charlton Kings Common Green tickY Green tickY 63.8 157.7 SO952187 1954 Map
Lineover Wood Green tickY 20.3 50.2 SO987187 1986 Map
Longhope Hill Green tickY 0.2 0.5 SO693185 1989 Map
Lower Wye Gorge Green tickY Green tickY 65.0 160.0 ST548983 & ST537967 1954 Map
Lydney Cliff Green tickY 8.0 19.7 SO654020 1990 Map
May Hill Green tickY Green tickY 32.6 80.6 SO695214 1954 Map
Meezy Hurst Green tickY 4.3 10.6 SO638089 1986 Map
Minchinhampton Common Green tickY Green tickY 182.7 451.4 SO855010 1972 Map
Nagshead Green tickY 120.1 316.6 SO608090 1972 Map
New Park Quarry Green tickY 1.3 3.2 SP175282 1987 Map
Nibley Knoll Green tickY 3.2 7.9 ST744956 1974 Map
Notgrove Railway Cutting Green tickY 1.7 4.2 SP086209 1974 Map
Oakenhill Railway Cutting Green tickY 0.8 2.0 SO630069 1985 Map
Old Bow And Old Ham Mines Green tickY 40.3 99.6 SO579088 1998 Map
Old River Severn, Upper Lode Green tickY 3.7 9.2 SO880331 1985 Map
Pennsylvania Fields, Sedbury Green tickY 27.0 66.8 ST542929 1985 Map
Poor's Allotment Green tickY 28.6 70.6 ST560990 1954 Map
Puckham Woods Green tickY 32.4 80.0 SP010224 1954 Map
Puddlebrook Quarry Green tickY 0.7 1.9 SO646183 1986 Map
Purton Passage Green tickY 4.9 12.1 SO687045 1966 Map
Range Farm Fields Green tickY 12.8 31.6 SO850130 1996 Map
River Wye Green tickY Green tickY England: 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 tickY 1.7 4.1 SO836148 1966 Map
Rodborough Common Green tickY Green tickY 116 287 SO851035 1954 Map
Rough Bank, Miserden Green tickY 9.2 22.7 SO907087 1986 Map
Salmonsbury Meadows Green tickY Green tickY 18.0 44.0 SP178213 1985 Map
Scully Grove Quarry Green tickY 0.4 1.0 SO657186 1974 Map
Selsley Common Green tickY Green tickY 39.4 97.4 SO829030 1966 Map
Severn Estuary Green tickY Green tickY 15,950.0 39,410.0 ST480830 1976 Map
Severn Ham, Tewkesbury Green tickY 70.8 175.0 SO885325 1974 Map
Shorn Cliff And Caswell Woods Green tickY 69.2 171.0 SO540005 & SO540990 1986 Map
Slade Brook Green tickY Green tickY 3.6 8.9 SO564055 2003 Map
Soudley Ponds Green tickY 7.0 17.4 SO662112 1984 Map
Speech House Oaks Green tickY 16.3 40.2 SO622123 1972 Map
Stenders Quarry Green tickY Green tickY 2.8 6.9 SO659183 1966 Map
Stinchcombe Hill Green tickY 28.6 70.7 ST740983 1966 Map
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting Green tickY 2.7 6.7 SP063106 1987 Map
Strawberry Banks Green tickY 5.1 12.5 SO910033 1993 Map
Swanpool Wood And Furnace Grove Green tickY 13.6 33.6 SO541107 1984 Map
Swift's Hill Green tickY Green tickY 9.2 22.6 SO877067 1966 Map
Sylvan House Barn Green tickY <0.1 0.1 SO534023 1995 Map
The Hudnalls Green tickY 94.4 233.3 SO533030 & SO540042 & SO545046 1972 Map
The Malvern Hills Green tickY Green tickY 732.3 1,899.6 SO766472 – SO758350 1954 Map
Tudor Farm Bank Green tickY 3.7 9.1 SO573081 1999 Map
Turvey's Piece Green tickY 1.0 2.5 SO882301 1993 Map
Upham Meadow And Summer Leasow Green tickY 104.0 257.0 SO917375 1991 Map
Upper Severn Estuary Green tickY Green tickY 1,436.8 3,550.4 SO720060 1954 Map
Upper Wye Gorge Green tickY Green tickY 245.1 605.7 SO560155 1969 Map
Veizey's Quarry Green tickY 1.4 3.5 ST881944 1974 Map
Wainlode Cliff Green tickY 1.3 3.2 SO845257 1954 Map
Walmore Common Green tickY 57.8 142.8 SO740162 & SO745150 1955 Map
Wellacre Quarry Green tickY 12.3 30.4 SP180370 1974 Map
Westbury Brook Ironstone Mine Green tickY 15.7 38.8 SO662166 1998 Map
Whelford Meadow Green tickY 1.9 4.6 SP168000 1985 Map
Wigpool Ironstone Mine Green tickY 34.9 95.0 SO654197 1998 Map
Wildmoorway Meadows Green tickY 12.6 31.1 SU066973 1989 Map
Winson Meadows Green tickY 7.9 19.6 SP093081 1974 Map
Wood Green Quarry & Railway Cutting Green tickY 0.3 0.7 SO694166 1966 Map
Woodchester Park Green tickY 214.9 531.0 SO820014 1966 Map
Wotton Hill Green tickY Green tickY 26.1 64.0 ST753942 1954 Map
Yarley Meadows Green tickY 12.2 30.2 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.

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

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