Pittington Hill is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in County Durham, England. It lies adjacent to the village of Pittington, some 6 km north-east of Durham city. A disused quarry occupies part of the site.

Pittington Hill
Disused Pittington Quarry, now part of Pittington Hill SSSI
Map showing the location of Pittington Hill
Map showing the location of Pittington Hill
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationMAGiC MaP
Nearest city City of Durham
Coordinates54°47′45″N 1°29′15″W / 54.79583°N 1.48750°W / 54.79583; -1.48750
Area6.4 ha (16 acres)
Established1987
Governing bodyNatural England
WebsitePittington Hill SSSI

The hill slopes and former quarry support an extensive area of primary magnesian limestone grassland. Blue moor-grass, Sesleria albicans, a characteristic plant of such grassland, is present but not abundant in the primary grassland on the hill slopes, where herbs such as rock-rose, Helianthemum nummularium, are more common; blue moor-grass is more plentiful in the secondary grassland on the quarry floor and spoil heaps, where it is associated with species such as quaking grass, Briza media, salad burnet, Sanguisorba minor, and autumn gentian, Gentianella amarella. [1]

References

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  1. ^ "Pittington Hill : Reasons for SSSI status" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 1 April 2022.