| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 Minchinhampton Common flowering | |
  Location within Gloucestershire | |
| Location | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SO855010 |
| Coordinates | 51°42′29″N2°12′38″W / 51.707997°N 2.210522°W /51.707997; -2.210522 |
| Interest | Biological/Geological |
| Area | 182.7hectare |
| Notification | 1972 |
| Natural England website | |
Minchinhampton Common (grid referenceSO855010) is a 182.7-hectare (451-acre)biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest inMinchinhampton,Gloucestershire, England,notified in 1972.[1][2]
The common has been owned and managed by theNational Trust since 1913.[3] It is one of the largest grassland commons in theCotswold area. It is south ofRodborough Common SSSI. Both commons are onJurassiclimestone and are a central plateau with steep sides. They drop down to theNailsworth Valley on the west side and theFrome Valley on the north side. The site designation includes the outlying areas of Iron Mills and Littleworth Commons.[1]Neu-Lindsey Nature Reserve adjoins the western edge of Minchinhampton Common.[4]
Minchinhampton Common is of both geological and biological importance. There are disused quarries near the centre which provide fossil evidence for research purposes. It is unimproved,herb-rich grassland.[1] There are five units of assessment.[5]
The limestoneLongstone of Minchinhampton is supposedly the burial site of aDanish leader,[6][7] and the area on the east side of the common known as Woefuldane Bottom has been suggested as a possible site of theBattle of Edington.[8]
The Old Lodge, a formerhunting lodge, stands at the centre of the common.
There was a wood on the Common during the 1300s.[9]
In 1739, Anglican preacher,George Whitefield delivered a sermon to 30,000 people. The Neolithic burial mound on the Common is known asWhitfield's Tump was named after him.[10]
Those who own property within Minchinhampton Manor today, still havegrazing rights on the Common,[9][11] as was custom in theopen-field system beforeenclosure.
The quarries are one of the most important Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) research sites in theUnited Kingdom. The fossil Limestones provide examples of various marine species includingbivalve andgastropod fauna includinglimpets and thick-shelledsea snails,coral,crustaceans, andreptiles. The site provides opportunities for significant further research on the local rock strata of the Minchinhampton and Burleigh limestones, and the relationship to the Bathonian successions to the east and south.[1]
The central plateau supports a short grassland sward (due to stock grazing) with longer vegetation on the steeper slopes. The grassland includesupright brome,tor-grass,sheep's fescue,quaking grass, andcrested dog's-tail. Flowering herbs includecommon rock-rose,harebell,chalk milkwort, andfield scabious. The area has a significant population of orchids, including thebee orchid,fragrant orchid, andfrog orchid.[1]
There are more neutral grasslands and herb species in areas of landslip on the margins of the site. There are wet areas which supportmarshy vegetation. There are also areas of scrub which is dominated byhawthorn,bramble, anddog rose. There isjuniper on the site and a limited amount of broad-leaved woodland on the margins.[1]
The site is known for its variety of invertebrates and butterflies recorded arechalkhill blue,small blue,marsh fritillary andDuke of Burgundy fritillary. Moth records includecistus forester andjuniper carpet.[1]
The raregreater horseshoe bat is recorded as hibernating in the disused stone mines on the Nailsworth side.[1]
There is a golf club and course.[12] The grass is used to graze cattle in the warmer months, this is administered by the "hayward".[13] Because of the cattle roaming free, there is a speed limit of 40 mph in the area. Part of the common was used to house a US military field hospital[14] during WW2.
