Lower Hollins

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.3638, -1.8004

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SK133852 Favourable 5.18 2014-12-09

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Millstone Grit

Description

Description Lower Hollins SSSI is a nationally important site for its lowland unimproved neutral grassland which mainly consists of the nationally scarce National Vegetation Classification NVC type MG5 crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus – common knapweed Centaurea nigra grassland. General description The site comprises of a series of species rich grasslands managed as hay meadows on gentle north facing slopes above the tree lined meanders of the River Noe in the Vale of Edale below the Hollins Cross Mam Tor Ridge. The underlying soils are derived from the Namurian Edale Shales of the Millstone Grit series and are naturally more acidic and generally poorly drained. Much of the site comprises agriculturally unimproved, species rich neutral grassland characterised by a diverse and rich range of native grasses and herbs. Grasses such as red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus, common bent Agrostis capillaris, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum all occur in abundance, with more occasional quaking grass Briza media and in damper areas tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa. Present throughout is a diverse range of characteristic herbs which include an abundance of common knapweed Centaurea nigra, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare and yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor. In many places the community is further enriched by frequent common cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata, betony Betonica officinalis, devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis, autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, tormentil Potentilla erecta and common eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa. Also present are common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, common twayblade Neottia ovata and the locally uncommon greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha. Where there is impeded drainage or seepage of water, stands of taller marshy vegetation occur which are also species rich due to the mix of the characteristic grassland species together with rushes including compact rush Juncus conglomeratus and soft rush Juncus effusus, small sedges, including an abundance of glacuous sedge Carex flacca and oval sedge Carex leporina and herbs such as great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis, ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria. The assemblage of grassland fungi present includes a number of species strongly associated with unimproved nutrient poor grassland, such as the waxcaps Hygrocybe calyptriformis, Hygrocybe punicea, Hygrocybe ingrata and Hygrocybe citrinovirens, a number of which are considered to be rare or scarce in the county.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites
Latin name
search with Google
IUCN / Red List Type Family
pink meadow waxcap Hygrocybe calyptriformis Not listed in GB list fungi hygrophoraceae
citrine waxcap Hygrocybe citrinovirens Not listed in GB list fungi hygrophoraceae
dingy waxcap Hygrocybe ingrata Not listed in GB list fungi hygrophoraceae
deep-red crimson waxcap Hygrocybe punicea Not listed in GB list fungi hygrophoraceae
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
betony Betonica officinalis VU herb lamiaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
spotted orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii LC herb orchidaceae
common eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa LC herb orobanchaceae
meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria LC herb rosaceae
cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata LC herb asteraceae
meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis LC herb fabaceae
rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus LC herb asteraceae
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare LC herb asteraceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
common twayblade Neottia ovata NT herb orchidaceae
ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LC herb plantaginaceae
greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha NT herb orchidaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis LC herb rosaceae
greater hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis LC herb asteraceae
ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi LC herb carophyllaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
compact rush Juncus conglomeratus LC rush juncaceae
soft rush Juncus effusus LC rush juncaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae
oval sedge Carex leporina LC sedge cyperaceae

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Centaurea nigra, Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Marsh moth
Athetis pallustris
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Filipendula ulmaria
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp., Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Filipendula ulmaria, Rhinanthus minor
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Deschampsia cespitosa
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Plantago lanceolata
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp.
Latticed heath
Chiasmia clathrata
Near Threatened Lathyrus pratensis
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Plantago spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Betonica officinalis, Centaurea spp.
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

MG5 — Lowland meadow and pasture, Traditional orchard

Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland

Matches 20 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Juncus effusus, Lathyrus pratensis, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Potentilla erecta, Rhinanthus minor, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Succisa pratensis

Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Colchicum autumnale, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Chara curta

MG8 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland

Matches 20 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Euphrasia nemorosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Juncus effusus, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Succisa pratensis

Carex demissa, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium rostratum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea ptarmica, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Mentha aquatica, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Glyceria declinata, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Dryopteris expansa

MG4 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland

Matches 19 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Succisa pratensis

Carex acutiformis, Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium elatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sepium, Fritillaria meleagris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anglica, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Chara curta

MG6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Traditional orchard

Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland

Matches 13 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Juncus effusus, Lathyrus pratensis, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Scorzoneroides autumnalis

Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens

W24 — Traditional orchard

Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub

Matches 10 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Filipendula ulmaria, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Solanum dulcamara, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Anthriscus sylvestris, Chaerophyllum temulentum, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Achillea millefolium, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Alliaria petiolata, Cerastium fontanum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis perennis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Stachys sylvatica, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium montanum, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Cruciata laevipes, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Trisetum flavescens, Dryopteris filix-mas

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa