BLACKDOWN HILLS

The 'Blackdown Hills' are a range of hills along the Somerset-Devon border in south-western England. They were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1991.[1]
The hills are heavily cut with sharp valleys and reach 315 metres (1035 feet) above sea level at Staple Hill, their highest point. The Wellington Monument is located on Wellington Hill at GB Grid Reference ST 137 171. To the south of the area near Honiton in Devon the hills are more gentle. The Blackdown Hills are a sparsely populated area, much of the land being used for dairy farming.
There are 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Blackdown Hills ranging from the 156 hectare Black Down and Sampford Commons to Reed Farm pit at just less than 1 hectare. In total they cover 640 ha, or just under 2% of the AONB. Of these SSSIs 79% are deemed by English Nature to be being positively managed. In addition, one site, Quants, is a candidate for Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). These are designated under the EC Habitats Directive as internationally important habitats. A notable archaeological site is the Iron Age Hembury fort.

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See also

External links

See also

★ List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset

★ List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Dorset

External links

★ Blackdown Hills AONB – official website