Wiveton Downs

{{short description|Site of Special Scientific Interest in Norfolk, England}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image= Wiveton Downs - geograph.org.uk - 113424.jpg

|image_caption =

|name= Wiveton Downs

|aos= Norfolk

|interest=Biological
Geological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|TG 025 428}}

|coordinates = {{coord|52.944|1.012 |type:landmark_region:GB-BNE|display=title, inline}}

|area= {{convert|28.9|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

|notifydate= 1992

|map=[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271002122%27 Magic Map]

}}

Wiveton Downs is a {{convert|28.9|ha|acre|abbr=off |adj=on }} biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest at Wiveton, west of Sheringham in the English county of Norfolk.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1002122&SiteName=&countyCode=29&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Wiveton Downs | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 23 June 2018}}{{cite web|url= http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271002122%27|title=Map of Wiveton Downs|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 23 June 2018}} Part of it is a Geological Conservation Review site,{{cite web|url=http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4174&gcr=603 |title= Wiveton Downs (Quaternary of East Anglia) |series=Geological Conservation Review |publisher=Joint Nature Conservation Committee|access-date= 25 May 2018}}{{cite web|url= http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4174&gcr=2347 |title= Blakeney Esker (Quaternary of East Anglia) |series=Geological Conservation Review |publisher=Joint Nature Conservation Committee|access-date= 23 June 2018}} and an area of {{convert|6.5|ha|acre|abbr=off |adj=on }} is a Local Nature Reserve.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1009249&SiteName=&countyCode=29&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea=|title= Designated Sites View: Wiveton Down |series=Local Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England |access-date= 21 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=lnrIndex&query=Ref_CODE%3D%271009249%27 |title=Map of Wiveton Downs|series=Local Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England| access-date= 23 June 2018}} It is in the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.{{cite web|url=http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd001159.pdf|title=Norfolk Coast AONB Management Plan 2014–19: Other Conservation Designations within the AONB|publisher=Norfolk Coast AONB|access-date=25 May 2018|archive-date=31 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161613/http://www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd001159.pdf|url-status=dead}}

The site is a classic example of an esker, a glacial crevasse which has been filled in until it forms a narrow winding ridge. It is considered very important for teaching, research and demonstration.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1002122.pdf |title= Wiveton Downs citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 23 June 2018}}