List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Cornwall

There are 167 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Cornwall (including the Isles of Scilly). Cornwall, in the south-west of England, UK, has a population of 569,578 (mid-2019 est.) across an area of 3,546 km2 (876,235.7 acres), making it one of the least densely populated counties within England.[1] The north coast of Cornwall falls on the Celtic Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, which also surrounds the Isles of Scilly, the south coast falls on the English Channel and the county is bounded by the River Tamar, forming the border with Devon, to the east. Cornish geology consists mainly of rocks from the Devonian and Carboniferous geological periods. Granite forms a large part of these, with mineralisations of tin, copper, lead and arsenic having been mined in the area.[2] This gives rise to many distinct habitats, with strong marine influences, including sand dunes, rocky reefs, stacks and headlands as well as heathland, moorland and unusual river profiles.[3]

Map of SSSIs in Cornwall within the UK
St Michael's Mount, a SSSI in west Cornwall

In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site "because of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features".[4] 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 1974–96 county system[5] and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than adopting the current local government or ceremonial county boundaries.

Of the 167 sites designated in this Area of Search, the greatest number, 81, have been designated due to their biological interest, with 54 due to their geological interest and 32 for both.[6] The data in the table is taken from English Nature in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI.[7]

Sites
Site name Biological Interest[A] Geological Interest[A] Area (hectares)[B] Area (acres)[B] Grid reference[C] Year in which notified Map[D]
Aire Point to Carrick Du Y Y 704.8 1741.6 SW432385 1972 Map
Amble Marshes Y   57.3 141.6 SW994746 1951 Map
Annet Y   119.5 295.3 SV862088 1971 Map
Baulk Head to Mullion Y Y 152.3 376.3 SW663200 1995 Map
Bedruthan Steps and Park Head Y Y 80.8 200.0 SW850700 1951 Map
Belowda Beacon   Y 0.5 1.2 SW973627 1996 Map
Big Pool and Browarth Point Y   10.0 25.0 SV879087 1971 Map
Boconnoc Park and Woods Y   50.4 124.5 SX144603 1977 Map
Bodmin Moor, North Y   4957.0 12248.0 SX160810 1951 Map
Borlasevath and Retallack Moor Y   54.1 133.6 SW937667 1994 Map
Boscastle to Widemouth Y Y 639.0 1579.0 SX140970 1972 Map
Boscawen   Y 8.8 21.8 SW425231 1997 Map
Brendonmoor Y   11.7 29.0 SX264955 1990 Map
Breney Common Y   114.6 283.2 SX056614 1979 Map
Bude Coast Y Y 92.5 228.6 SS200069 1987 Map
Cabilla Manor Wood Y   15.1 37.3 SX150697 1989 Map
Caerthillian to Kennack Y Y 141.1 349.6 SW720140 1951 Map
Cameron Quarry   Y 0.5 1.2 SW704507 1996 Map
Carn Grey Rock and Quarry   Y 1.9 4.8 SX034551 1991 Map
Carnkief Pond Y   11.2 27.7 SW787520 1951 Map
Carrick Heaths Y   42.7 105.5 SW800490 1973 Map
Carricknath Point to Porthbean Beach Y   49.5 122.3 SW870330 2000 Map
Carrine Common & Penwethers Y   45.8 113.3 SW797434 1973 Map
Castle Down Y Y 58.1 143.6 SV885160 1971 Map
Chapel Down (St. Martin's) Y Y 34.9 86.2 SV942159 1971 Map
Chyenhal Moor Y   11.9 29.4 SW448279 1951 Map
Clicker Tor Quarry   Y 4.3 10.6 SX285614 1967 Map
Cligga Head Y Y 113.5 280.5 SW738537 1951 Map
Coombe Mill Y   0.5 1.2 SS210117 2000 Map
Coverack Cove and Dolor Point   Y 5.6 13.9 SW785181 1951 Map
Coverack to Porthoustock Y Y 173.5 428.6 SW785189 1951 Map
Crocadon Quarry   Y 0.2 0.4 SX392658 1998 Map
Crow's Nest Y Y 18.9 46.8 SX265700 1999 Map
Crowhill Valley Y   42.5 105.0 SW934513 1951 Map
Cuckoo Rock to Turbot Point   Y 102.5 253.4 SW990404 1998 Map
Cudden Point to Prussia Cove   Y 15.9 39.2 SW553278 1991 Map
De Lank Quarries   Y 21.9 54.1 SX101753 1994 Map
Dozmary Pool Y   104.2 257.5 SX195745 1951 Map
Draynes Wood Y   38.0 93.9 SX222685 1951 Map
Duckpool to Furzey Cove   Y 87.3 215.7 SS200090 1996 Map
East Lizard Heathlands Y  Y  287.4 710.1 SW775192 1951 Map
Eastern Isles Y    83.8 207.1 SV947144 1971 Map
Eglarooze Cliff Y    30.8 76.1 SX349539 1951 Map
Folly Rocks   Y  2.4 6.0 SW573280 1990 Map
Gerrans Bay to Camels Cove Y Y  139.5 344.7 SW920371 1951 Map
Godrevy Head to St Agnes Y Y  627.4 1550.3 SW582423 1951 Map
Goonhilly Downs Y   1271.0 3140.7 SW720200 1951 Map
Goss and Tregoss Moors Y   701.9 1734.4 SW950600 1988 Map
Great Pool (Tresco) Y   17.5 43.2 SV894146 1971 Map
Great Wheal Fortune   Y 0.6 1.4 SW627289 1991 Map
Greenamoor Y    32.5 80.3 SX240955 1992 Map
Greenscoombe Wood, Luckett Y    29.3 72.4 SX394725 1973 Map
Greystone Quarry   Y  4.4 10.9 SX366805 1994 Map
Grimscott Y   11.0 27.1 SS279076 1992 Map
Gugh Y   37.7 93.2 SV890083 1976 Map
Gwithian to Mexico Towans Y Y 371.1 917.2 SW570395 1953 Map
Harbour Cove   Y 29.1 71.9 SW915768 1990 Map
Hawks Tor Pit   Y 5.9 14.7 SX150749 1993 Map
Hayle Estuary & Carrack Gladden Y    190.3 470.2 SW550379 1951 Map
Higher Moors and Porth Hellick Pool (St Mary's) Y    16.2 40.0 SV924108 1971 Map
Hingston Down Quarry & Consols   Y  24.2 59.8 SX410718 1995 Map
Kelsey Head Y    227.6 562.4 SW775600 1951 Map
Kennack to Coverack Y  Y 265.7 656.5 SW733164 1951 Map
Kernick and Ottery Meadows Y    29.8 71.6 SX185913 1992 Map
Kingsand to Sandway Point   Y 6.7 15.3 SX439508 1994 Map
Lidcott Mine   Y 0.1 0.3 SX241851 1987 Map
Loe Pool Y  Y  128.7 318.0 SW647250 1951 Map
Loggans Moor Y    10.7 26.4 SW577390 1986 Map
Lower Bostraze and Leswidden Y    2.3 5.7 SW385315 1996 Map
Lower Fal & Helford Intertidal Y  Y 277.7 686.2 SW860334 1997 Map
Lower Moors Y    10.2 25.2 SV912106 1971 Map
Luxulyan Quarry   Y 49.9 123.5 SX055590 1993 Map
Lymsworthy Meadows Y    7.7 19.0 SS272108 1992 Map
Lynher Estuary Y    687.3 1698.3 SX375565 1951 Map
Malpas Estuary Y    101.5 250.8 SW835430 1951 Map
Marazion Marsh Y    59.9 148.0 SW515318 1951 Map
Meddon Moor Y    32.0 79.0 SS272173 1992 Map
Meneage Coastal Section Y  Y  79.7 197.0 SW777261 1994 Map
Merthen Wood Y    72.2 178.4 SW730263 1972 Map
Minster Church Y    0.7 1.7 SX111905 1998 Map
Mulberry Downs Quarry   Y  3.2 7.9 SX019658 1973 Map
Mullion Cliff to Predannack Cliff Y  Y  108.5 268.1 SW670156 1951 Map
Nance Wood Y    9.8 24.2 SW665450 1951 Map
Newlyn Downs Y    115.7 285.9 SW834545 1997 Map
Norrard Rocks Y    35.6 88.0 SV860135 1971 Map
Ottery Valley Y    32.5 80.3 SX161895 1994 Map
Park Wood Y    32.7 80.9 SX345667 1988 Map
Penberthy Croft Mine   Y  2.3 5.7 SW552324 1993 Map
Penhale Dunes Y    1070.4 2645.0 SW771572 1953 Map
Peninnis Head (St. Mary's) Y  Y  16.1 39.7 SV911094 1971 Map
Penlee Point   Y  1.8 4.4 SW473269 1990 Map
Penlee Quarry   Y  25.8 64.0 SW468278 1997 Map
Pentire Peninsula Y  Y  113.7 281.0 SW934798 1951 Map
Pentle Bay, Merrick And Round Islands Y    42.8 105.7 SV896139 1976 Map
Phoenix United Mine Y    29.8 73.6 SX266724 1996 Map
Plains and Great Bay (St. Martin's) Y    15.0 37.1 SV924163 1971 Map
Plymouth Sound Shores And Cliffs Y    45.0 111.2 SX442488 1997 Map
Polruan to Polperro Y    213.4 527.3 SX122508 1951 Map
Polyne Quarry   Y  0.1 0.2 SX225531 1988 Map
Polyphant   Y  3.4 8.4 SX260825 1994 Map
Pool of Bryher & Popplestone Bank (Bryher) Y    5.9 14.6 SV875148 1971 Map
Porth Seal (St. Martin's)   Y  1.1 2.6 SV918166 1976 Map
Porthcew   Y  9.6 23.7 SW593270 1990 Map
Porthgwarra to Pordenack Point Y    157.9 390.2 SW371217 1977 Map
Porthleven Cliffs   Y  8.8 21.7 SW623257 1973 Map
Porthleven Cliffs East   Y  13.1 32.4 SW634250 1990 Map
Porthloo   Y  0.7 1.7 SV907117 1996 Map
Rame Head & Whitsand Bay Y  Y  160.1 395.6 SX367537 1996 Map
Red Moor Y    89.1 220.2 SX072613 1979 Map
Redlake Meadows & Hoggs Moor Y    30.5 75.4 SX128590 1995 Map
Retire Common Y    61.8 152.7 SX005635 1951 Map
River Camel Valley and Tributaries Y    621.2 1534.9 SX060707 1998 Map
Roche Rock   Y  2.2 5.4 SW991596 1991 Map
Rock Dunes Y  Y  68.1 168.3 SW926765 1953 Map
Rosemullion Y  Y  20.5 50.7 SW795281 1990 Map
Rosenannon Bog and Downs Y    135.5 334.7 SW955675 1951 Map
Rosenun Lane   Y  0.4 0.9 SX249617 1988 Map
Rushy Bay and Heathy Hill Y    12.2 30.1 SV874142 1971 Map
Samson (with Green, White, Puffin & Stony Islands) Y    38.7 95.6 SV878125 1971 Map
Shipman Head & Shipman Down Y  Y  40.7 100.6 SV877158 1971 Map
South Terras Mine   Y  0.6 1.5 SW934523 1996 Map
St Agnes Beacon Pits   Y  7.9 19.5 SW705510 1951 Map
St Austell Clay Pits Y    0.6 1.5 SW996586 2000 Map
St Erth Sand Pits   Y  3.9 9.6 SW557351 1962 Map
St Helen's (With Northwethel & Men-a-vaur) Y    26.6 65.7 SV900170 1971 Map
St John's Lake Y    279.2 689.9 SX430540 1973 Map
St Martin's Sedimentary Shore Y  Y  34.1 84.2 SV920160 1996 Map
St Mewan Beacon   Y  0.7 1.7 SW986534 1993 Map
St Michael's Mount   Y  2.6 6.3 SW515298 1995 Map
St Nectan's Glen Y    3.4 8.4 SX080885 1985 Map
Steeple Point to Marsland Mouth Y    342.8 847.1 SS212174 1973 Map
Stepper Point   Y  1.6 3.9 SW915783 1990 Map
Stourscombe Quarry   Y  0.5 1.2 SX344839 1953 Map
Swanpool Y  Y  8.9 22.0 SW802315 1995 Map
Sylvia's Meadow Y    4.5 11.4 SX412708 1992 Map
Talland Barton Y    2.0 5.0 SX227515 2009 Map
Tamar–Tavy Estuary Y    1422.3 3514.6 SX435591 1991 Map
Tater-du   Y  4.8 11.9 SW440231 1992 Map
Teän Y  Y  18.8 46.4 SV909166 1971 Map
Tintagel Cliffs Y  Y  221.8 548.1 SX042857 1951 Map
Trebetherick Point   Y  20.6 50.9 SW925780 1951 Map
Treen Cliff Y    49.3 121.8 SW395224 1951 Map
Tregargus Quarries   Y  1.8 4.4 SW949541 1951 Map
Tregonetha & Belowda Downs Y    105.1 259.8 SW960630 2000 Map
Tregonning Hill Y    5.2 12.9 SW601299 1994 Map
Trehane Barton Y    0.0 0.0 SW866482 1989 Map
Trelavour Downs   Y  0.3 0.7 SW960575 1990 Map
Trelow Downs Y    149.8 370.2 SW925683 1999 Map
Tremearne Par   Y  14.5 35.9 SW610266 1992 Map
Trevaunance Cove   Y  6.8 16.9 SW723517 1993 Map
Trevone Bay   Y  9.4 23.2 SW889763 1990 Map
Trevose Head and Constantine Bay Y  Y  158.5 391.7 SW858753 1951 Map
Upper Fal Estuary and Woods Y    603.5 1490.6 SW850410 1968 Map
Upper Fowey Valley Y    124.0 306.4 SX215730 1989 Map
Ventongimps Moor Y    8.2 20.4 SW781510 1951 Map
Viverdon Quarry   Y  0.4 1.0 SX374675 1985 Map
Watermill Cove   Y  0.5 1.2 SV925122 1996 Map
West Cornwall Bryophytes Y    53.9 133.3 SW661407 1999 Map
West Lizard Y  Y  776.3 1917.4 SW671154 1968 Map
Western Rocks Y    62.7 154.9 SV850070 1971 Map
Wheal Alfred   Y  1.1 2.8 SW580370 1990 Map
Wheal Gorland   Y  0.6 1.5 SW732429 1988 Map
Wheal Martyn   Y  0.1 0.3 SX002555 1990 Map
Wheal Penrose   Y  0.9 2.2 SW634252 1993 Map
White Island (off St. Martin's) Y  Y  16.6 40.9 SV925176 1971 Map
Wingletang Down Y    28.9 71.4 SV884075 1971 Map
Yeolmbridge Quarry   Y  0.7 1.7 SX322874 1990 Map

See also

Notes
A Reason for designation; either for the site's biological interest, or its geological interest.
B Data rounded to one decimal place.
C Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey.[8]
D Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by Natural England.

References
  1. "Population Estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Mid-2019". Office for National Statistics. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  2. "Geodiversity: Cornwall (inc Isles of Scilly)". Natural England. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  3. "AONB: Cornwall". Natural England. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  4. "Guidelines for selection of biological SSSIs". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  5. "County search of SSSIs". Natural England. Archived from the original on 19 August 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  6. "SSSIs in Cornwall". Natural England. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  7. Natural England citation sheets for each SSSI (PDF). Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  8. "Guide to National Grid". Ordnance Survey. Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2007.

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