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Southwick Coastal Cliffs and Woodland |
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The cliffs at Southwick rise 40 metres above the merse, but are largely hidden by a cloak of ancient Oak woodland. Lying in front of the cliffs, within the merse, are several isolated stacks, the largest of which is Lot's Wife. The cliffs are composed of granite laid down during a period of volcanic activity 185 million years ago. The rock is very rich in minerals and contains deposits of arsenic, bismuth, copper and lead, as well as the largest commercially viable deposit of uranium in Britain! The woodland at Southwick has survived simply because the cliffs are too steep and inaccessible to be used for anything else. The Oaks, although mature and very old, are small and wizened by years of strong gales blowing off the Solway. Protected beneath the dense canopy is a rich and diverse ground flora, which includes Early Purple Orchids, Bluebells, Woodruff, Greater Woodrush and Honeysuckle. |
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Photo - D. Heward |
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