- Fonthill Grottoes
Fonthill Grottoes is a 0.69
hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest , in woodland adjacent toFonthill Lake inWiltshire , notified in 1994. Its SSSI designation is due to its roosting bats: the site is the sixth largest hibernaculum in Britain.The site consists of three subterranean follies, constructed in the 18th century, split between two areas, one on the western side of the lake, at gbmapping|ST933316 and one on the eastern side at gbmapping|ST937315.
The three follies are named "The Dark Walks", "The Hermitage" and "The Quarry".
Biological interest
The site is used as a hibernation roost site by up to 207 bats of up to nine species. Greater and
Lesser Horseshoe Bat s are among seven species which roost here on a regular basis, andBechstein's Bat andBarbastelle , two species rare in Britain, have each been recorded on several occasions.ource
* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006758.pdf English Nature citation sheet for the site] (accessed 25 July 2006)
External links
* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature website] (SSSI information)
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