Freeman's Marsh

{{Short description|Site of Special Scientific Interest in Berkshire, United Kingdom}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image=Fording the Dun - geograph.org.uk - 842254.jpg

|image_caption=

|name=Freeman's Marsh

|aos=Berkshire

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SU 329 686}}

|coordinates={{coord|51.415|-1.532|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}}

|area={{convert|25.1|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

|notifydate=1986

|map=[https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271001426%27 Magic Map]

}}

Freeman's Marsh is a {{convert| 25.1 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the northern outskirts of Hungerford in Berkshire.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1001426&SiteName=&countyCode=44&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Freeman's Marsh | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 15 October 2019}}{{cite web|url= https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271001426%27|title=Map of Freeman's Marsh|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 15 October 2019}} It is in the North Wessex Downs, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site is owned by the Town and Manor of Hungerford.{{cite web|url=http://www.hungerfordtownandmanor.co.uk/freemans-marsh|title=Freeman's Marsh|publisher=The Town & Manor of Hungerford & Liberty of Sanden Fee|access-date= 15 October 2019}}

Freeman's Marsh is in the flood plain of the River Dun, which goes through the site. It has unimproved meadows, which have long been traditionally managed by grazing, marsh, reedbeds and scattered woodland. Many species of birds nest on the river bank and in the marshy meadows, including snipe, little grebes and mute swans, while sedge warblers, reed warblers and reed buntings nest in tall fen and reed.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1001426.pdf |title=Freeman's Marsh citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 15 October 2019}}

The site is crossed by public footpaths.{{cite map |title=Explorer 158: Newbury & Hungerford |publisher=Ordnance Survey |isbn=9780319243510}}