| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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Shown within Somerset
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| Area of Search | Avon |
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| Grid reference | ST325662 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 84.1 hectares (0.841 km2; 0.325 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1952 |
| Natural England website | |
Middle Hope (grid reference ST325662) is a 84.1 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest on Sand Point north of the town of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, notified in 1952.
At Middle Hope a sequence of Carboniferous Limestone, and includes limestones, thick volcanic tufts and lavas are exposed, affording some of the finest Tournaisian carbonate sections in South West England. The site contains a Pleistocene aged fossil cliff and shore platform.[1]
The range of soils at the site support various flora and fauna. The calcareous grassland is dominated by Festuca species and Dactylis glomerata, while the scrub towards the west of the site is dominated by Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), while that to the east consists of Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg).[1]
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