Selsley Common
Selsley Common is one of over 8000 areas of common land registered in England. Since Saxon times there have been attempts to enclose the land but it's always been rigorously defended, with only one small pocket of land known as Dead Man's Acre having been enclosed.
Long abandoned quarries punctuate the near 100 acres of common, the source of building materials for houses and boundary walls, and grassed over wagon ways show how the stone was remove from the area.
Long abandoned quarries punctuate the near 100 acres of common, the source of building materials for houses and boundary walls, and grassed over wagon ways show how the stone was remove from the area.
In 1966 the area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Commoner grazing rights are still exercised and the centuries old relationship between grazing cattle and the rich and rare flora and fauna remain intact.
The common is home to herbs such as Rock Rose, Common Birdsfoot Trefoil, Salad Burnet and Wild Thyme, as well as a variety of orchids including Autumn Lady's Tresses, the common spotted Orchid and the Green Winged Orchid.
In the spring and summer the common is home to nesting skylarks and it's important not to disturb their nest sites. Dogs should be kept on a lead from March 1 to July 31 to protect this red listed declining species.
The common is home to herbs such as Rock Rose, Common Birdsfoot Trefoil, Salad Burnet and Wild Thyme, as well as a variety of orchids including Autumn Lady's Tresses, the common spotted Orchid and the Green Winged Orchid.
In the spring and summer the common is home to nesting skylarks and it's important not to disturb their nest sites. Dogs should be kept on a lead from March 1 to July 31 to protect this red listed declining species.
The Toots Long barrow is an undulating mound found to the edge of the common overlooking the escarpment and the Severn Valley. It's about 74 metres long, 27m wide and up to 3m high. Over the years it's been excavated on a number of occasions which has affected its shape. Dating from the early/mid neolithic period, ( over 2500 years BC) it's been listed as a scheduled monument since 1900.
From the edge of the common there are fine views across the Severn Valley. On a clear day you can see from Dunkery Beacon in Devon to The Malvern hills in Worcestershire. Between the two lie the Forest of Dean and beyond to the Brecon Beacons and the Sugarloaf mountain near Abergavenny, an amazing backdrop to the River Severn snaking its way across the valley.
