List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Bedfordshire

Houghton Regis Marl Lakes

Bedfordshire is a county in the East of England.^[1] It is bounded by Hertfordshire to the south-east, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, and Buckinghamshire to the west.^[2] It has an area of 1,235 square kilometres (477 sq mi), and population estimated in 2015 at 630,000, with an increase of 10% over the previous ten years.^[3] The county town is Bedford, and the name is first recorded in the treaty in about 879 between King Alfred the Great and Guthrum, which divided English and Danish territory by a line which went through Bedford.^[4]

Southern Bedfordshire is part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. North and mid Bedfordshire are undulating claylands with broad river valleys of the River Great Ouse and its tributaries, and the Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge. Jurassic and Cretaceous clays are overlaid by Quaternary glacial deposits of chalky boulder clay.^[5]

There are forty Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Bedfordshire, designated by Natural England. Thirty-five are listed for their biological interest, and five for their geological interest.^[6] Three of the sites are also National nature reserves, twelve are in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and eleven are managed wholly or partly by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. In 2009 Bedfordshire was divided into three unitary local authorities: thirty-two sites are in Central Bedfordshire, eight in Bedford and none in Luton.

For other counties, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search.

Key

Interest

• B = a site of biological interest
• G = a site of geological interest

Other classifications

• CAONB = Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• GCR = Geological Conservation Review
• LNR = Local nature reserve
• NCR = A Nature Conservation Review
• NNR = National nature reserve
• NT = National Trust
• RHPG = Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England
• RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• SM = Scheduled Monument
• WT = Woodland Trust
• WTBCN = Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

Sites

Site name	Photograph	B	G	Area[lower-alpha 1]	Public access	Location[lower-alpha 1]	Other classifications	Map[lower-alpha 1]	Citation[lower-alpha 1]
Barton Hills				47.9 hectares (118 acres)	YES	Barton-le-Clay 51°57′22″N 0°25′05″W / 51.956°N 0.418°W, TL088298	NNR[7] NCR[8] CAONB[8]	Map	Citation
Biddenham Pit				0.4 hectares (0.99 acres)	YES	Biddenham 52°08′31″N 0°30′25″W / 52.142°N 0.507°W, TL023503	GCR[9]	Map	Citation
Blow's Down				33.4 hectares (83 acres)	YES	Dunstable 51°52′59″N 0°30′07″W / 51.883°N 0.502°W, TL032215	WTBCN[10] CAONB[11]	Map	Citation
Cooper's Hill				17.8 hectares (44 acres)	YES	Ampthill 52°01′44″N 0°30′14″W / 52.029°N 0.504°W, TL027378	LNR[12] WTBCN[13]	Map	Citation
Deacon Hill SSSI				35.4 hectares (87 acres)	YES	Pegsdon 51°57′11″N 0°22′12″W / 51.953°N 0.37°W, TL121295	WTBCN[14][15] CAONB[16]	Map	Citation
Double Arches Pit				1.7 hectares (4.2 acres)	NO	Heath and Reach 51°57′11″N 0°38′28″W / 51.953°N 0.641°W, SP935291	GCR[17]	Map	Citation
Dropshort Marsh				2.7 hectares (6.7 acres)	YES	Toddington 51°56′17″N 0°32′24″W / 51.938°N 0.54°W, TL005276	WTBCN[18]	Map	Citation
Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs				73.3 hectares (181 acres)	YES	Dunstable 51°52′08″N 0°32′24″W / 51.869°N 0.540°W, TL006199 51°51′29″N 0°33′07″W / 51.858°N 0.552°W, SP998187	NT[19] CAONB[19]	Map	Citation
Fancott Woods and Meadows				13.2 hectares (33 acres)	YES	Toddington 51°56′13″N 0°30′36″W / 51.937°N 0.51°W, TL025275	WTBCN[20]	Map	Citation
Felmersham Gravel Pits				21.5 hectares (53 acres)	YES	Bedford 52°12′54″N 0°33′04″W / 52.215°N 0.551°W, SP991584	WTBCN[21]	Map	Citation
Flitwick Moor				58.9 hectares (146 acres)	YES	Flitwick 52°00′18″N 0°28′34″W / 52.005°N 0.476°W, TL047352	WTBCN[22]	Map	Citation
Galley and Warden Hills				47.5 hectares (117 acres)	YES	Warden Hills 51°55′41″N 0°24′54″W / 51.928°N 0.415°W, TL091267	LNR[23] CAONB[23]	Map	Citation
Hanger Wood				24.0 hectares (59 acres)	NO	Stagsden 52°08′02″N 0°32′46″W / 52.134°N 0.546°W, SP996494		Map	Citation
Houghton Regis Marl Lakes				21.0 hectares (52 acres)	YES	Houghton Regis 51°53′56″N 0°32′10″W / 51.899°N 0.536°W, TL008233	WTBCN[24] CAONB[25]	Map	Citation
Kensworth Chalk Pit				130.9 hectares (323 acres)	NO	Kensworth 51°51′58″N 0°31′01″W / 51.866°N 0.517°W, TL022196	GCR[26] CAONB[27]	Map	Citation
Kings and Bakers Woods and Heaths				211.3 hectares (522 acres)	YES	Leighton Buzzard 51°57′36″N 0°39′18″W / 51.96°N 0.655°W, SP925299	NNR[7] NCR[28] WTBCN[29]	Map	Citation
Kings Wood and Glebe Meadows, Houghton Conquest				36.1 hectares (89 acres)	YES	Houghton Conquest 52°03′07″N 0°28′37″W / 52.052°N 0.477°W, TL045404	LNR[30]	Map	Citation
Knocking Hoe				8.1 hectares (20 acres)	YES	Pegsdon 51°57′47″N 0°21′18″W / 51.963°N 0.355°W, TL131307	NNR[7] NCR[31] CAONB[32]	Map	Citation
Marston Thrift				37.7 hectares (93 acres)	YES	Cranfield 52°03′54″N 0°34′59″W / 52.065°N 0.583°W, SP972417	LNR[33]	Map	Citation
Maulden Church Meadow				4.2 hectares (10 acres)	YES	Maulden 52°01′52″N 0°27′29″W / 52.031°N 0.458°W, TL059381	LNR[34]	Map	Citation
Maulden Heath				7.6 hectares (19 acres)	YES	Maulden 52°02′06″N 0°26′31″W / 52.035°N 0.442°W, TL070386		Map	Citation
Maulden Wood and Pennyfather's Hill				148.4 hectares (367 acres)	YES	Maulden 52°02′24″N 0°26′28″W / 52.04°N 0.441°W, TL070391		Map	Citation
Nares Gladley Marsh				5.4 hectares (13 acres)	NO	Leighton Buzzard 51°56′24″N 0°40′55″W / 51.94°N 0.682°W, SP907277		Map	Citation
Nine Acres Pit				20.4 hectares (50 acres)	NO	Leighton Buzzard 51°56′20″N 0°38′06″W / 51.939°N 0.635°W, SP939276	GCR[35]	Map	Citation
Odell Great Wood				85.9 hectares (212 acres)	YES	Odell 52°13′08″N 0°35′56″W / 52.219°N 0.599°W, SP958588		Map	Citation
Potton Wood				85.2 hectares (211 acres)	YES	Potton 52°08′06″N 0°10′26″W / 52.135°N 0.174°W, TL251501		Map	Citation
Pulloxhill Marsh				5.1 hectares (13 acres)	NO	Pulloxhill 51°59′20″N 0°27′50″W / 51.989°N 0.464°W, TL056334		Map	Citation
Sandy Warren				16.4 hectares (41 acres)	YES	Sandy 52°07′05″N 0°15′43″W / 52.118°N 0.262°W, TL191480	RSPB[36]	Map	Citation
Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills				87.5 hectares (216 acres)	YES	Sharpenhoe 51°57′25″N 0°26′46″W / 51.957°N 0.446°W, TL069299	NT[37] CAONB[38] SM[37]	Map	Citation
Southill Lake and Woods				25.6 hectares (63 acres)	NO	Southill 52°04′23″N 0°19′52″W / 52.073°N 0.331°W, TL145429	RHPG[39]	Map	Citation
Stevington Marsh				7.6 hectares (19 acres)	YES	Pavenham 52°10′59″N 0°33′54″W / 52.183°N 0.565°W, SP982548		Map	Citation
Sundon Chalk Quarry				26.8 hectares (66 acres)	YES	Upper Sundon 51°56′10″N 0°29′24″W / 51.936°N 0.49°W, TL039275	CAONB[40]	Map	Citation
Swineshead Wood				21.9 hectares (54 acres)	YES	Swineshead 52°17′20″N 0°26′46″W / 52.289°N 0.446°W, TL061668	WT[41]	Map	Citation
Tebworth Marsh				5.7 hectares (14 acres)	YES	Toddington 51°57′00″N 0°34′23″W / 51.95°N 0.573°W, SP982289		Map	Citation
Tilwick Meadow				3.6 hectares (8.9 acres)	YES	Thurleigh 52°11′49″N 0°25′59″W / 52.197°N 0.433°W, TL072566		Map	Citation
Totternhoe Chalk Quarry				13.5 hectares (33 acres)	YES	Totternhoe 51°53′28″N 0°34′08″W / 51.891°N 0.569°W, SP986224	CAONB[42] WTBCN[43]	Map	Citation
Totternhoe Knolls				13.4 hectares (33 acres)	YES	Totternhoe 51°53′17″N 0°34′48″W / 51.888°N 0.58°W, SP978220	LNR[44] WTBCN[43] CAONB[42]	Map	Citation
Totternhoe Stone Pit				2.2 hectares (5.4 acres)	NO	Totternhoe 51°53′24″N 0°34′37″W / 51.89°N 0.577°W, SP980222	GCR[45] CAONB[42]	Map	Citation
Wavendon Heath Ponds				4.7 hectares (12 acres)	YES	Aspley Heath 51°59′42″N 0°38′49″W / 51.995°N 0.647°W, SP930338		Map	Citation
Yelden Meadows				2.8 hectares (6.9 acres)	NO	Yelden 52°17′42″N 0°31′19″W / 52.295°N 0.522°W, TL009673		Map	Citation

See also

• List of Local Nature Reserves in Bedfordshire
• National Nature Reserves in Bedfordshire

Notes

1. Maps and citations for each site are taken from the Natural England database. The area and location of the site is shown on the citation. The listing is as on 10 December 2015.

References

1. "East of England". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
2. "Your Guide to the Counties of England". Counties in England. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
3. "Bedfordshire Police". Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
4. Page, William, ed. (1912). A History of the County of Bedford 3. London: Victoria County History. p. 1.
5. "Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands". National Character Area profile. Natural England. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
6. "Designated Sites View: SSSIs Bedfordshire". Natural England. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
7. "Bedfordshire's National Nature Reserves". Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
8. "Barton Hills citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
9. "Biddenham Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
10. "Blow's Downs". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
11. "Blows Downs Nature Reserve". Wildlife Extra. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
12. "Coopers Hill - Bedfordshire SSSI". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
13. "Cooper's Hill". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
14. "Pegsdon Hills and Hoo Bit". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
15. "Map of Deacon Hill". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
16. "Cycling in the Chilterns". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
17. "Double Arches Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
18. "Dropshort Marsh". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
19. "Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate". National Trust. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
20. "Fancott Woods and Meadows". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
21. "Felmersham Gravel Pits". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
22. "Flitwick Moor (& Folly Wood)". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
23. "Galley and Warden Hills SSSI". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
24. Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (January 2015). "A Nature Conservation Strategy for Central Bedfordshire" (PDF). Central Bedfordshire Council. pp. 27–28. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
25. "Luton, Dunstable & Houghton Regis local transport plan 2006-2011" (PDF). Bedfordshire County Council. p. 18. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
26. "Kensworth Chalk Pit". British Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphy (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 2001.
27. "Kensworth Parish Green Infrastructure Plan" (PDF). Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
28. "Kings and Bakers Woods and Heaths citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
29. "King's Wood and Rammamere Heath". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
30. "Kings Wood and Glebe Meadows, Houghton Conquest". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
31. "Knocking Hoe citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
32. "Knocking Hoe National Nature Reserve". Chilterns Conservation Board. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
33. "Marston Thrift". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
34. "Maulden Church Meadow". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
35. "Nine Acres Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
36. "Sandy Warren citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
37. "Smithcombe, Sharpenhoe and Sundon Hills citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
38. "Sharpenhoe". National Trust. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
39. "Southill Park". Historic England. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
40. "Sundon & Streatley Chiltern Arc, Access & Green Space Vision Plan" (PDF). Central Bedfordshire Council. 2013. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
41. "Swineshead Wood citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
42. "Totternhoe Knolls". Chilterns Conservation Board. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
43. "Totternhoe". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
44. "Totternhoe Knolls". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
45. "Totternhoe Stone Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 6 September 2015.

Coordinates: 52°05′N 0°25′W / 52.083°N 0.417°W