List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire facts for kids

Pen-y-ghent in North Yorkshire

This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. As of 2006^[update], there are 241 sites designated within this Area of Search. 162 sites have been designated due to their biological interest, 56 due to their geological interest, and 23 for both.

Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than, for example, merging all Yorkshire sites into a single list. Some sites you may expect to find here could therefore be in the Cleveland list.

For other counties, see List of SSSIs by Area of Search. The data in the table is taken from Natural England's website in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI.

Sites

Site name	Reason for designation		Area		Grid reference	Year in which notified	Map	Citation
	Biological interest	Geological interest	Hectares	Acres
Acaster South Ings	Y		38.3	94.6	SE594437	1988	Map	[1]
Angram Bottoms	Y		9.8	24.2	NY891999	1989	Map	[2]
Arkengarthdale Gunnerside and Reeth Moors	Y		7,634.7	18,865.4	NY935070 & SD970990	1998	Map	[3]
Arkle Beck Meadows, Whaw	Y		8.4	20.8	NY984041	1986	Map	[4]
Arnecliff and Park Hole Woods	Y		52.5	129.7	NZ787048	2000	Map	[5]
Ashberry and Reins Wood	Y		97.7	241.5	SE565850	1960	Map	[6]
Ashes Pasture and Meadows		Y	14.3	34.3	SD776785	1983	Map	[7]
Askham Bog	Y	Y	44.7	110.7	SE570480	1961	Map	[8]
Askrigg Bottoms	Y	Y	2.8	6.9	SD948903	1984	Map	[9]
Attermire	Y		57.5	142.1	SD842637	1955	Map	[10]
Aubert Ings	Y		10.6	26.3	SE453538	1984	Map	[11]
Austwick and Lawkland Mosses	Y		83.6	206.6	SD762665	1958	Map	[12]
Aysgarth		Y	18.3	45.1	SE008886 – SE021888	1992	Map	[13]
Bastow Wood	Y		52.0	128.6	SD990657	1975	Map	[14]
Beck Dale Meadow	Y		2.2	5.4	SE767659	2002	Map	[15]
Beck Hole	Y		70.5	174.2	NZ825020	1960	Map	[16]
Bellerby Fields	Y		2.8	6.9	SE114932	1994	Map	[17]
Betton Farm Quarries		Y	2.3	5.6	TA002856	1954	Map	[18]
Biller Howe Dale	Y		85.0	210.1	NZ918013	1983	Map	[19]
Birkham Wood	Y		28.2	69.6	SE359551	1988	Map	[20]
Birks Fell Caves		Y	85.5	211.2	SD935765	1989	Map	[21]
Birkwith Caves and Fell	Y	Y	178.4	440.8	SD806766	1988	Map	[22]
Bishop Monkton Ings	Y		38.8	95.9	SE344659	1986	Map	[23]
Black Keld Catchment		Y	1401.3	3461.2	SE010700	1999	Map	[24]
Black Scar Quarry		Y	1.1	2.8	NZ231052	1992	Map	[25]
Blaiskey Bank Springs	Y		1.4	3.5	SE625887	1989	Map	[26]
Bolton Percy Ings	Y		7.1	17.5	SE534401	1991	Map	[27]
Boreham Cave		Y	159.4	393.9	SD926732	1986	Map	[28]
Botton Head		Y	5.1	12.6	NZ596020	1984	Map	[29]
Brants Gill Catchment		Y	493.2	1218.2	SD823733, SD825717 & SD850700	1986	Map	[30]
Breighton Meadows	Y		37.4	90.6	SE704330	1986	Map	[31]
Bride Stones	Y	Y	120.5	297.7	SE873910	1952	Map	[32]
Brimham Rocks	Y		162.7	402.0	SE212647	1958	Map	[33]
Brockadale	Y		58.3	144.0	SE503174	1961	Map	[34]
Broughton Bank		Y	4.6	11.3	NZ568035	1981	Map	[35]
Bull Ings	Y		3.0	7.5	SE753880	1983	Map	[36]
Burr Closes, Selby	Y		1.3	3.1	SE596340	1984	Map	[37]
Burton Leonard Lime Quarry	Y		3.3	8.2	SE323630	1958	Map	[38]
Castle Hill Wood	Y		5.7	11.1	SE585831	1983	Map	[39]
Castlebeck and Scar Woods	Y		36.6	90.5	SE947974	1954	Map	[40]
Cawthorn Moor	Y		38.3	94.6	SE781923	1990	Map	[41]
Caydale	Y		163.6	404.2	SE530870	2004	Map	[42]
Cayton, Cornelian and South Bays	Y		169.8	419.5	TA600860	1984	Map	[43]
Chris's Pasture	Y		3.8	9.4	SD964890	1991	Map	[44]
Church Ings	Y		6.7	16.5	SD594456	1991	Map	[45]
Cliff Beck Meadow, Buttertubs	Y		1.5	3.7	SD880967	1986	Map	[46]
Cliff Force Cave		Y	70.9	175.4	SD875960	1998	Map	[47]
Cliff Ridge		Y	2.6	6.4	NZ575116	1988	Map	[48]
Clints Quarry		Y	1.0	2.5	SD967575	1955	Map	[49]
Cockerham Meadows, Thorpe	Y		2.5	6.2	SD998616	1987	Map	[50]
Cocket Moss	Y		20.0	50.0	SD787618	1955	Map	[51]
Cockrah Wood	Y		11.9	29.4	SE970882	1950	Map	[52]
Conistone Old Pasture	Y	Y	297.2	734.4	SD990670	1955	Map	[53]
Cow Cliff Pasture and Quarry	Y		1.3	3.3	SE856669	1984	Map	[54]
Cow Myers	Y		15.2	37.5	SE270730	1983	Map	[55]
Cracoe Reef Knolls		Y	141.1	348.6	SD988603, SD996609, SE003608, SE007615, SE015614 & SE026618	1952	Map	[56]
Cropton Banks and Howlgate Head Woods	Y		42.2	104.3	SE745875	1985	Map	[57]
Dalby Bush Fen	Y		7.4	18.3	SE645715	1988	Map	[58]
Deepdale Meadows, Langstrothdale	Y		12.8	31.6	SD889797	1988	Map	[59]
Derwent Ings	Y		662.4	1,636.9	SE703466 – SE703347	1975	Map	[60]
Dow Cave System		Y	79.4	196.2	SD989735	1987	Map	[61]
Duncombe Park	Y		117.8	291.2	SE607828	1985	Map	[62]
East Heslerton Brow	Y		40.7	100.6	SE926757	1954	Map	[63]
East Keswick Fitts	Y		12.0	29.6	SE352460	1989	Map	[64]
East Nidderdale Moors (Flamstone Pin - High Ruckles)	Y		10,776.9	26,619.1	SE112854 – SE177665	1996	Map	[65]
Eller's Wood and Sand Dale	Y		8.9	21.9	SE856848	1983	Map	[66]
Ellerburn Bank	Y		2.9	7.2	SE853848	1983	Map	[67]
Eskamhorn Meadows	Y		13.7	33.8	SE679242	2010	Map	[68]
Fairy Call Beck		Y	1.8	4.5	SE711903	1992	Map	[69]
Far Mains and Far Limekiln Close Meadows	Y		2.1	5.1	SD992628	1986	Map	[70]
Farndale	Y		157.3	388.8	SE670963	1987	Map	[71]
Farnham Mires	Y		10.2	25.1	SE338605	1954	Map	[72]
Feetham Holme	Y		3.2	7.8	SD994977	1984	Map	[73]
Filey Brigg	Y		27.9	68.9	TA126816	1985	Map	[74]
Foredale		Y	1.6	4.0	SD803700	1990	Map	[75]
Forlorn Hope Meadow	Y		1.6	4.0	SE543171	1991	Map	[76]
Fothering Holme	Y		10.3	25.5	NY991040	1989	Map	[77]
Freeholders Wood	Y		14.0	34.6	SE013889	1988	Map	[78]
Fulford Ings	Y		12.7	31.3	SE608491	1991	Map	[79]
Giggleswick Scar and Kinsey Cave	Y	Y	40.1	99.1	SD876665 – SD802657	1958	Map	[80]
Gingerfields	Y		6.9	17.0	NZ162025 & NZ167022	1991	Map	[81]
Golden Hill Pit		Y	0.7	1.7	SE724827	1990	Map	[82]
Gormire	Y		54.0	133.5	SE505834	1954	Map	[83]
Gouthwaite Reservoir	Y		147.7	365.0	SE129693	1969	Map	[84]
Gowerdale Windy Pits/Peak Scar	Y	Y	4.7	11.6	SE518889, SE526885 & SE529883	1960	Map	[85]
Grass Wood	Y		88.0	217.5	SD985655	1955	Map	[86]
Grassington Hospital Grounds	Y		5.0	12.4	SE017635	1988	Map	[87]
Great Almscliff Crag		Y	7.9	19.4	SE268490	1987	Map	[88]
Green Lane Pit		Y	1.1	2.6	SE732837	1988	Map	[89]
Greenfield Meadow	Y		15.1	37.3	SD833794	1985	Map	[90]
Greenhow Pasture	Y		7.2	17.8	SE118640	1983	Map	[91]
Greenhow Quarry		Y	2.7	6.6	SE113639	1992	Map	[92]
Gristhorpe Bay and Red Cliff	Y		54.4	134.4	TA085840	1954	Map	[93]
Hack Fall Wood	Y		42.4	104.7	SE235772	1989	Map	[94]
Hackness Head Quarry		Y	3.0	7.4	SE965904	1954	Map	[95]
Hackness Rock Pit		Y	0.1	0.3	SE965907	1992	Map	[96]
Hambleton Quarry		Y	12.3	30.3	SE058533	1991	Map	[97]
Harker's House Meadows	Y		14.2	35.1	NY860019	1985	Map	[98]
Harwood Dale Moor		Y	0.4	1.1	SE961991	1999	Map	[99]
Haugh and Gundale Slacks	Y		58.7	145.0	SE797886, SE800880, SE807882, SE804871 & SE802863	1985	Map	[100]
Haw Crag Quarry		Y	9.0	23.3	SD913564	1958	Map	[101]
Hawkswick Wood	Y		12.0	29.0	SD946714	1975	Map	[102]
Hay-a-Park Gravel Pit	Y		44.9	111.0	SE362581	1995	Map	[103]
Hayburn Wyke	Y	Y	21.0	51.9	TA012968	1958	Map	[104]
Hesley Moss	Y		10.9	27.1	SD783602	1993	Map	[105]
Heslington Tillmire	Y		46.7	115.3	SE638475	1990	Map	[106]
Hill House Nab		Y	4.0	9.9	SE659993	1984	Map	[107]
Hole of Horcum	Y	Y	145.2	358.8	SE845935	1954	Map	[108]
Holy Well, Bridge		Y	1.7	4.2	SE028533	1986	Map	[109]
Horse Field, Gilling	Y		2.1	5.2	SE626758	1985	Map	[110]
Ingleborough	Y	Y	5,230.0	12,923.4	SD760740	1955	Map	[111]
Iron Scar and Hundale Point to Scalby Ness	Y	Y	125.3	309.6	TA017964, TA021957 – TA036908	1984	Map	[112]
Jeffry Bog	Y		7.6	18.8	SE760667 & SE761664	1983	Map	[113]
Keasden Moor		Y	10.2	25.2	SD725664	1989	Map	[114]
Kettlewell Meadows	Y		12.3	30.3	SD960734	1986	Map	[115]
Kildale Hall		Y	6.6	16.2	NZ609096	1993	Map	[116]
Kilnsey Flush	Y		1.5	3.7	SD972675	1986	Map	[117]
Kirk Deighton	Y		4.0	9.9	SE398501	2000	Map	[118]
Kirkby Wharfe	Y		21.7	53.7	SE510400	1984	Map	[119]
Kirkdale Cave		Y	0.3	0.7	SE678856	1960	Map	[120]
Kirkham Park & Riverside	Y		41.1	101.5	SE737667	1954	Map	[121]
Kisdon Force Woods	Y		38.0	94.0	NY900009	1974	Map	[122]
Ladyhills	Y		3.5	8.8	SE912723	1993	Map	[123]
Langcliffe Scars and Jubilee, Albert and Victoria Caves		Y	684.9	1692.4	SD845642	1955	Map	[124]
Len Pastures, Crackpot	Y		4.0	9.9	SD975968	1989	Map	[125]
Leyburn Glebe	Y		2.6	6.5	SE101896	1983	Map	[126]
Ling Gill	Y		5.1	12.6	SD801785	1985	Map	[127]
Littlebeck Wood	Y		17.3	42.8	NZ881045	1983	Map	[128]
Lord's Wood and Pasture	Y		6.4	15.8	SD813647	1990	Map	[129]
Lovely Seat - Stainton Moor	Y		10,128.7	25,017.8	SD863933 – SE114946	1995	Map	[130]
Low Gill Moor Wetlands	Y		62.9	155.4	SD962874	1990	Map	[131]
Low Pasture	Y		10.5	25.9	SE539893	1987	Map	[132]
Lower Swaledale Woods and Grasslands	Y		223.7	552.7	NZ120014	1992	Map	[133]
Malham-Arncliffe	Y	Y	4,933.9	12,191.7	SD920676	1955	Map	[134]
Malham-Arncliffe (Cool Pasture)	Y		6.2	15.2	SD967677	1995	Map	[135]
Mallerstang-Swaledale Head	Y		6,232.3	15,400.0	NY840000	1964	Map	[136]
Mar Field Fen	Y		8.9	22.0	SE223819	1988	Map	[137]
Marsett Rigg	Y		8.0	19.8	SD900860	1985	Map	[138]
Meadow Croft, Skythorns	Y		0.4	0.9	SD979639	1985	Map	[139]
Meal Bank Quarry		Y	7.2	17.7	SD698735	1958	Map	[140]
Mill Holme Meadow, Thwaite	Y		0.6	1.5	SD897980	1986	Map	[141]
Mount Pleasant Quarry		Y	1.0	2.5	SE734670	1954	Map	[142]
Muker Meadows	Y		15.6	38.5	SD914978	1988	Map	[143]
Nabgate	Y		6.7	16.5	SE866847	1987	Map	[144]
Naburn Marsh	Y		13.3	32.9	SE600479	1992	Map	[145]
New Close, Calvert Houses	Y		6.6	19.3	SD920987	1986	Map	[146]
New House Meadows, Malham	Y		8.8	21.7	SD933643	1990	Map	[147]
Newbridge Quarry		Y	7.1	17.5	SE797861	1984	Map	[148]
Newby Moor	Y		276.8	684.0	SD717692	1990	Map	[149]
Newsome Bridge Quarry		Y	1.6	4.0	SE379511	1970	Map	[150]
Newton-le-willows Meadows	Y		4.2	10.5	SE212893 & SE215892	1994	Map	[151]
Newtondale	Y	Y	935.5	2,311.1	SE820915	1955	Map	[152]
Nine Spring Dale	Y		4.5	11.2	SE868693	1959	Map	[153]
Noddle End	Y		9.5	23.5	SE528888	1987	Map	[154]
North Bay to South Toll House Cliff		Y	10.4	25.1	TA048893, TA051894, TA046892 & TA048892	1954	Map	[155]
North York Moors	Y	Y	44,087.7	108,940.6	SE4996 – SE7192 & NZ9500 – NZ6910	1998	Map	[156]
Nunnington Cutting and Quarries		Y	5.6	13.8	SE646785 & SE648787	1984	Map	[157]
Oughtershaw and Beckermonds	Y		75.9	187.6	SD870810	1985	Map	[158]
Ox Close	Y		140.1	346.2	SD982908 – SD992899	1985	Map	[159]
Oxenber and Wharfe Woods	Y		88.4	218.3	SD785685	1955	Map	[160]
Pan Beck Fen	Y		2.5	6.1	SD848559	1985	Map	[161]
Park Hall Meadows, Healaugh, Richmondshire	Y		6.8	16.8	SE017989	1985	Map	[162]
Pen Y Ghent Gill	Y	Y	215.6	532.7	SD870740	1986	Map	[163]
Pen-y-ghent	Y	Y	1,456.9	3,600.0	SD850740	1955	Map	[164]
Pikedaw Calamine Caverns	Y	Y	27.1	66.9	SD875640	1958	Map	[165]
Pilmoor	Y		45.0	111.2	SE460730	1992	Map	[166]
Pry and Bottom Meadows, Mid-mossdale	Y		3.6	8.8	SD833917 – SD837919	1984	Map	[167]
Quarry Moor	Y		7.5	18.8	SE309693	1986	Map	[168]
Raincliffe & Forge Valley Woods	Y		95.6	236.2	SE986870	1956	Map	[169]
Richmond Meadows	Y		2.9	7.1	NZ169000 & NZ176007	1995	Map	[170]
Rievaulx Woods	Y		17.0	42.0	SE578847	1954	Map	[171]
Ripon Parks	Y		130.0	321.0	SE310750	1983	Map	[172]
River Derwent	Y		-	-	SE678287 – SE825757	1986	Map	[173]
River Ribble (Long Preston Deeps)	Y		168.8	417.2	SD809621 – SD827570	1987	Map	[174]
River Ure Bank, Ripon Parks		Y	1.9	4.6	SE310750 – SE307757	1988	Map	[175]
River Ure Grasslands	Y		18.5	45.8	SE147870 – SE157862, SE017889 & SD985856	1986	Map	[176]
River Wharfe	Y		48.3	119.4	SD940773 – SD973711	1985	Map	[177]
Robin Hood's Bay: Maw Wyke to Beast Cliff	Y	Y	365.2	902.4	NZ941082 – TA005987	1954–-74	Map	[178]
Runswick Bay		Y	9.9	24.4	NZ809169	1984	Map	[179]
Ruston Cottage Pasture	Y		17.1	42.3	SE956835	1984	Map	[180]
Ryedale Windypits		Y	11.2	27.7	SE576836, SE582829 & SE588828	1960	Map	[181]
Salt Lake Quarry	Y		3.6	8.9	SD773785	1975	Map	[182]
Scar Closes, Kisdon Side	Y		3.7	9.1	NY893000	1988	Map	[183]
Scar End Wood	Y		27.4	67.7	SE785990	1983	Map	[184]
School Share Section		Y	2.4	6.0	SD845623	1952	Map	[185]
Scoska Wood	Y		68.9	170.3	SD915725	1975	Map	[186]
Seato Pastures	Y	Y	9.9	24.5	SD729761	1990	Map	[187]
Seive Dale Fen	Y		10.4	26.7	SE855877	1983	Map	[188]
Semerwater	Y		101.4	250.6	SD913865	1975	Map	[189]
Shaw Beck Gill		Y	29.1	77.9	NZ000037 – NZ011059	1977	Map	[190]
Shaw's Gate Quarry		Y	1.6	3.9	SE524823	1984	Map	[191]
Sherburn Willows	Y		5.3	13.1	SE487325	1985	Map	[192]
Sked Dale	Y		3.6	8.9	SE969751	1954	Map	[193]
Skipwith Common	Y		293.0	724.0	SE655373	1958	Map	[194]
Sleightholme Dale	Y		28.7	71.0	SE666885	1986	Map	[195]
Snape Hill Quarry		Y	0.6	1.5	SE509787	1984	Map	[196]
Snaper Farm Meadows	Y		15.9	39.3	SE597912	1990	Map	[197]
South Pennine Moors	Y	Y	20,938	51,738.7	SD920300	1994	Map	[198]
Spell Howe Plantation	Y		4.3	10.6	TA064790	1986	Map	[199]
Spiker's Hill Quarry		Y	6.4	15.8	SE980862	1991	Map	[200]
Spring Wood, Hawnby	Y		42.4	104.7	SE524896	1984	Map	[201]
Staithes - Port Mulgrave		Y	62.3	154.1	NZ784189 – NZ797175	1984	Map	[202]
Stephen Ings, Crackpot	Y		3,089	7,630	SD976965	1986	Map	[203]
Stonehead Beck (Gill Beck)		Y	0.6	1.4	SD947432	1986	Map	[204]
Stonepit and Nova Slacks	Y		12.2	30.1	SE883652	1986	Map	[205]
Stran's Gill		Y	7.8	19.3	SD916786	1990	Map	[206]
Strensall Common	Y		578.7	1,430.1	SE650600	1965	Map	[207]
Strid Wood	Y		58.9	145.6	SE070560	1985	Map	[208]
Stump Cross Caves		Y	55.8	137.9	SE092635	1989	Map	[209]
Stutton Ings	Y		5.1	12.7	SE485405	1986	Map	[210]
Swale Lakes	Y		42.5	105.0	SE248985	1986	Map	[211]
Swarth Moor	Y		34.1	85.2	SD806695	1958	Map	[212]
Swinden Quarry	Y	Y	112.1	276.9	SD980616	1998	Map	[213]
Swineley Meadow, Widdale	Y		8.8	21.7	SD802859	1984	Map	[214]
Tadcaster Mere		Y	8.7	21.5	SE500430	1987	Map	[215]
The Ings, Amotherby	Y		18.0	44.6	SE759752	1994	Map	[216]
Thixen Dale and Longdale	Y		89.7	221.5	SE831600, SE843606 & SE845593	1954	Map	[217]
Thornton and Twisleton Glens	Y		59.6	147.2	SD695745 & SD705745	1958	Map	[218]
Thowker Corner	Y		1.4	3.5	SE081904	1990	Map	[219]
Three Dykes	Y		0.6	1.4	SE804683	1962	Map	[220]
Thwaite Stones	Y		17.6	43.5	SD895989	1984	Map	[221]
Tranmire	Y		11.0	27.2	NZ770120	1985	Map	[222]
Tripsdale	Y		1,013	2,503	SE585995	1965	Map	[223]
Troutsdale and Rosekirk Dale Fens	Y		13.1	32.3	SE900876 & SE903879	1984	Map	[224]
Upper Dunsforth Carrs	Y		10.2	25.1	SE442628	1984	Map	[225]
Upper Nidderdale		Y	137.2	347.2	SE102755	1961	Map	[226]
Upper Wharfedale	Y	Y	1,123.0	2,773.9	SD965735	1994	Map	[227]
Vessey Pasture Dale and Back Dale	Y		26.8	66.2	SE832622	1985	Map	[228]
Walden Meadows	Y		12.0	29.7	SE005823	1986	Map	[229]
Wanlass Grasslands	Y		67.1	165.8	SE065893 & SE054898	1986	Map	[230]
Waterdale	Y		36.3	90.0	SE820617	1954	Map	[231]
Wath Quarry		Y	0.1	0.3	SE673750	1991	Map	[232]
West End Meadow, Lunds	Y		3.7	9.1	SD792295	1986	Map	[233]
West Nidderdale, Barden and Blubberhouses Moors	Y		13,418.9	33,144.8	SE080705 – SD985580 – SE170510	1998	Map	[234]
Wharram Quarry	Y		6.4	16.0	SE860653	1984	Map	[235]
Whernside	Y	Y	3,839.4	9,487.1	SD735802	1958	Map	[236]
Whitby-Saltwick		Y	42.4	104.7	NZ901115 – NZ916109	1985	Map	[237]
Whitcliffe Section, Quarry Moor		Y	0.1	0.2	SE307692	1998	Map	[238]
Whitfield Gill and Mill Gill		Y	18.7	46.2	SD920932 – SD908945	1998	Map	[239]
Wintringham Marsh	Y		5.7	14.0	SD875734	1975	Map	[240]
Yockenthwaite Meadows	Y		11.2	27.7	SD912786	1986	Map	[241]