Fancott Woods and Meadows

Coordinates: 51°56′13″N 0°30′35″W / 51.937017°N 0.509712°W / 51.937017; -0.509712

Fancott Woods and Meadows
Fancott Woods and Meadows  Fancott Woods and Meadows shown within Bedfordshire
OS grid reference	TL025275
List of places: UK • England • Bedfordshire

Fancott Woods and Meadows are located near the hamlet of Fancott, Bedfordshire. The site is currently a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and was made one in 1985. It has a recorded size of 13.26 hectares (32.76 acres).^[1]

Meadow

The meadows are mainly ancient ridge and furrow, and are unimproved neutral grassland traditionally managed for hay and grazing.^[2] Species in the meadow include cowslips, ragged-robin, great burnet, common spotted orchid, red fescue, meadow fescue, crested dog’s-tail, sweet vernalgrass, sedges and meadowsweet, the dominant plant. More importantly, a variety of herbs that were common in old meadows but now rare in the county grow there, such as pepper saxifrage, green-winged orchid, dropwort, saw-wort and adder's tongue.^[2][3]

Woodland

The woodland (sometimes referred to as Chalton Spinney) is made up of oak, ash and alder species. In the spring, a large number of bluebells^[4] cover the woodland, along with primroses and field maple. The wood is the only recorded site in the county for the hybrid sedge Carex pseudaxillaris. There is also a small pond.^[2][3]

References

1. ^ "English Nature SSSI Listing". http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1000520. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Notification to Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council regarding the application". 1998. http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1000520.pdf. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Wildlife Trust Reserve Page". http://www.wildlifebcnp.org/reserves/reserve.php?reserveid=139. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 
4. ^ "BBC Breathing Places listing". British Broadcasting Corporation/The Wildlife Trust. http://www.breathingplaces.org/public/place_by_name/Fancott-Woods-Meadows?id=21185. Retrieved 30 October 2010.