Parsonage Down () is a 188.6

hectare The hectare (; SI symbol: ha) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to a square with 100-metre sides (1 hm2), that is, square metres (), and is primarily used in the measurement of land. There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre. ...

biological Site of Special Scientific Interest A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain, or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle ...

in Wiltshire, England, notified in 1971. It lies about west of

Amesbury Amesbury () is a town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It is known for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is within the parish. The town is claimed to be the oldest occupied settlement in Great Britain, having been first settl ...

, in Winterbourne Stoke parish.

Description

The site is a national nature reserve in recognition of its importance as part of the

Salisbury Plain Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau in southern England covering . It is part of a system of chalk downlands throughout eastern and southern England formed by the rocks of the Chalk Group and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire, but st ...

landscape and

calcareous grassland Calcareous grassland (or alkaline grassland) is an ecosystem associated with thin basic soil, such as that on chalk and limestone downland. There are large areas of calcareous grassland in northwestern Europe, particularly areas of southern Engla ...

it supports. Parsonage Down and Cherry Lodge Farm together form the only farm directly managed by

Natural England Natural England is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, ...

. The farm is run for the benefit of wildlife and conservation within the SSSI and NNR, and is home to the oldest registered herd of English Longhorn cattle in the United Kingdom. Following the introduction of the

Countryside and Rights of Way Act The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (c. 37), also known as the CRoW Act and "Right to Roam" Act, is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament affecting England and Wales which came into force on 30 November 2000. Right to roam The Act impleme ...

, the whole of the site was designated "access land" and is, therefore, open to public access.

Biological interest

The site has the largest population of burnt orchid (''Neotinea ustulata'') in northwest Europe.Harrap, Anne and Simon (2005) ''Orchids of Britain and Ireland - a field and site guide''

Sources

Natural England citation sheet for the site
(accessed 11 April 2022)

References

External links

Natural England website
(SSSI information)
Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve
Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1971 {{Wiltshire-geo-stub