This varied wetland forms a habitat for a variety of plants, including the semi-parasitic marsh lousewort (Pedicularis palustris).

[4] In 1807 the Ings, then measuring 4 acres, 1 rod, 6 poles and described as meadow, was put up for auction by the landowner William Wells.

The nearby Broad Close, measuring 1 acre, 2 rods and 17 poles and also described as meadow, may have been another part of the present SSSI site.

[11] Bishop Monkton Ings is a 37.788 hectares (0.378 km2; 0.146 sq mi) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Access is via the muddy Ings Lane public footpath running east from Bishop Monkton village to the north-west corner of the site.

The watercourses Holbeck and Ings Drain run through the site, which contains deciduous woodland, "species-rich marshy grassland subject to winter flooding" and some fen alongside the two streams.

It has greater bird's foot trefoil, square stalked St John's wort, meadow vetchling, tufted vetch, ragged robin, great burnet, wild angelica and common valerian.

On the slightly raised and drier ground can be found a number of plants including wood avens, red campion and dog's mercury.

[2] Annual light grazing is required, by cattle, ponies or hill sheep, to maintain a rich and varied diversity of herbs and other biota on the grassland.

[15] No explanation is given for the mention in the assessment of ragwort, but it is possible that a balance had to be made between its situation as a controlled plant,[16] with toxicity to cattle and ponies,[17] and its advantages as a pollinator and ability to host certain insect larvae, such as that of the cinnabar moth.

[23] Other SSSIs in the Harrogate region are:[24] Brimham Rocks,[25] Cow Myers,[26] Farnham Mires,[27] Hack Fall Wood,[28] Hay-a-Park,[29] Kirk Deighton[30] Mar Field Fen,[31] Quarry Moor,[32] and Ripon Parks.