© Steve Hammond
© Steve Hammond
© Simon Griffiths
Annesley Woodhouse Quarry
Restored quarries can make fantastic spaces for wildlife and this species rich grassland site covering just over 2.25 hectares was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1981.
The site sits on an outcrop of Magnesian Limestone that only breaks the surface on a handful of sites across the country. The limestone strip was formed 260-285million years ago in the then Zeichstein Sea, when the UK was in sub tropical latitudes and it spanned as far as modern day Poland.
The site sits on an outcrop of Magnesian Limestone that only breaks the surface on a handful of sites across the country. The limestone strip was formed 260-285million years ago in the then Zeichstein Sea, when the UK was in sub tropical latitudes and it spanned as far as modern day Poland.
Location
Salmon Lane
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 9LA
OS Map Reference
SK488532View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
Dogs are allowed if under effective control and on a lead at all times when the sheep are grazing.
When to visit
Opening times
Access by permit onlyBest time to visit
April to AugustAbout the reserve
This site is one of the country's finest remaining areas of unimproved Magnesian Limestone grassland and interesting plant species include rockrose, bee orchid and common spotted orchid. A range of birds breed on the site, including willow warbler and redpoll. There is also a wide range of invertebrates, including butterflies.