Gamlingay Great Heath

Downs, Moorland in Cambridgeshire South Cambridgeshire

England

Gamlingay Great Heath

Everton church St Mary&#039;s Church, Everton. — Everton church Credit: Katie

Gamlingay Great Heath is a vast expanse of heathland located in Cambridgeshire, England. Covering an area of approximately 480 acres, it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its unique ecological characteristics. The heath is situated in the southern part of the county, near the village of Gamlingay.

The landscape of Gamlingay Great Heath consists of a mix of low-lying grasslands, heather moorlands, and patches of woodland. The heathland is characterized by its acidic soils, resulting from the underlying sand and gravel deposits. This habitat supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, some of which are considered rare or endangered.

In terms of plant life, Gamlingay Great Heath is known for its heathers, including the rare cross-leaved heath and the bell heather. Other plant species found here include gorse, bracken, and various grasses. The heathland provides an important breeding ground for numerous bird species, such as the nightjar, woodlark, and stonechat. Reptiles like the common lizard and adder can also be spotted in the area.

Gamlingay Great Heath offers a peaceful and tranquil setting for visitors to enjoy nature. There are footpaths and trails that wind through the heath, allowing walkers and hikers to explore the diverse landscape. The heath is managed by local conservation organizations that work to preserve its unique biodiversity and protect its natural habitats.

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Gamlingay Great Heath Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.146838/-0.21611819 or Grid Reference TL2251. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Everton church

St Mary's Church, Everton.

Katie

Hardwicke Arms Gamlingay

The Hardwicke Arms Public House located at the junction of Church Street and Waresley Road in Gamlingay

Richard Thomas

Fields beside the B1040 near Potton

Fields and hedgerows alongside the B1040. The Sandy TV mast can be seen in the distance.

Richard Thomas

Moongate, Gamlingay Cinques

Look carefully, and you'll see a crumbling brick edifice behind the foliage. This is the ruin of an 18th-century (?) moongate in the grounds of the now-vanished Gamlingay Hall. The moongate was like a giant circular glassless window through which the full moon could be seen to picturesque advantage. Some believe that the structure was poorly sited and that a full moon would rarely if ever be visible through it. Still, it must have made an intriguing landscape feature, as it still does. A different angle can be seen here: TL2252 : Moongate detail, Gamlingay Cinques.

Hugh Chevallier

Moongate detail, Gamlingay Cinques

This is part of what's left of a ruined 18th-century (?) moongate in the grounds of the now-vanished Gamlingay Hall. The moongate was like a giant circular glassless window through which the full moon could be seen to picturesque advantage. (The circular shape can be clearly seen here.) Some believe that the structure was poorly sited and that a full moon would rarely if ever be visible through it. Still, it must have made an intriguing landscape feature, as it still does. A wider angle can be seen here: TL2252 : Moongate, Gamlingay Cinques.

Hugh Chevallier

View of Gamlingay Housing

Taken from Mill Hill, the shot shows the lie of the land over the Mill Brook and housing at Gamlingay, beyond. The trailer has a 3 digit phone number and must have stood in this location for many a year.

Richard Thomas