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The site consists of an extensive patchwork of old field systems nestling in favored hollows among outcrop of old red sandstone. Some larger areas of old meadow occupy those areas where there is sufficient depth of glacial gravels and clays for fertile topsoil's to have formed since the retreat of the ice

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The land, all of low agricultural value, has been little disturbed for many years, as evidenced by the succession of species from open grassland, through scrub of bramble, gorse and willow, to patchy woodland.

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A number of pathways traverse the site and extend the zone of human presence, which is largely centered on the building.

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The area has, in effect, already been a sanctuary for many years and this process is enhanced by limiting and careful human management. Such activity focuses on those areas of pathways and trackways, meadow and The Centers surroundings.

As Rainwater continually drains through the area from the rock outcrops, through the glacial till to the stream, this then dries in the summer to form a series of pools.

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A diverse community of plants, birds and small mammals and invertebrates occupies the site and benefits from maintenance of minimal disturbance. 

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The diversity of Topography, aspect, rock, soil and human boundaries creates a web of inter-twinned zones that provides spaces for quiet reflection and simple pleasure.

                  Flowering Plant Species Observed March-June 

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  • Alder

  • Angelica

  • Bell Heather

  • Birch

  • Black Knapweed

  • Blackthorn

  • Bluebell

  • Bramble

  • Broad Leaved

  • Wiillowherb

  • Bulgle

  • Cleavers

  • Common Cudweed

  • Common Dog Violet

  • Common Figwort

  • Common Goosefoot

  • Common Marsh

  • Bedstraw

  • Common Mouse ear

  • Common Nettle

  • Common Sorrel

  • Common Valerian

  • Common Vetch

  • Corn Spurrey

  • Creeping buttercup

  • Creeping Willow

  • Cross leaved

  • Heath

  • Cuckoo Flower

  • Daisy

  • Dandelion

  • Devils Bit

  • scabious

  • Dock

  • Dwarf Goose 

  • Dwarf Spurge

  • Early Purple

  • orchid

  • English Stonecrop

  • Fat Hen

  • Field rose

  • Foxglove

  • Garlic Mustard

  • Germander

  • Speedwell

  • Goat Willow

  • Goosefoot

  • Great Birds foot trefoil

  • Groundsel

  • hairy bittercress

  • Hawthorn

  • hazel

  • hemlock Water

  • dropwort

  • herb Robert

  • Holly

  • Honeysuckle

  • Irish Spurge

  • Ivy

  • Lesser Celandine

  • Lesser Spearwort

  • Lesser Stitchwort

  • Lesser Trefoil

  • Mare's tail

  • Marsh Woundwort

  • Marsh Cinquefoil

  • Marsh Ragwort

  • Meadow Buttercup

  • Meadowsweet

  • Meadow Thistle

  • Navelwort

  •  Oak

  • Oxeye Daisy

  • Pignut

  • Primrose

  • Procumbent

  • Stitchwort

  • Purple-Loosestrife

  • Ragged Robin

  • Red Clover

  • Ribwort Plantain

  • Rough Hawk bit

  • Rowan

  • Sanicle

  • Scarlet pimpernel

  • Selfheal

  • Sheep's Sorrel

  • Slender St Johns wort

  • Small Flowered Cranesbill

  • St. Patrick's Cabbage

  • Thyme Leaved Sandwort

  • Thyme leaved Speedwell

  • Walter Avers

  • Water mint

  • White Clover

  • White Rambling

  • Fumitory

  • Wild Strawberry

  • Wood Anemone

  • Wood Sorrel

  • Yellow Pimpernel

  • Yellow Rattle

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Family Nature Trail

Looking for discovering the land with your kids?

There is now a new interactive nature trail around the land.

Maps and activities leaflets are waiting for you in the entrance of An Sanctoir.

Bring a cup to collect things, a pen to tick activities and make notes and a good pair of wellies (weather depending).

Permanent arrows and wooden signs are placed along the way, available from today!

Follow the map and have fun

PS: feel free to share your experience with us by sending us a message and/or pictures

famnily trail map.jpeg
family trail informatiopn sheet.jpeg
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