Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve

Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve

Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve
Cross Hill Lane
Rimington
Clitheroe
Lancashire
BB7 4EE

Tel: 01772 324 129
E-Mail: jlamb@lancswt.org.uk

Web: Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve

About Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve

Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve is an abandoned as a working quarry in the early 1900's, Cross Hill is a good example of natural change on a man-made site and has since become an exceptional refuge for wildlife. Once quarrying ceased, the thin soils and exposed rock became revegetated through stages of succession from flower-rich grasslands, to hawthorn scrub and finally woodland. Examples of each stage can still be seen.

Visit Cross Hill Quarry Nature Reserve in June to see the fine display of wildflowers in the main quarry. The quarry floor, made up of mounds of spoil, is rich in lime and provides perfect growing conditions for many limestone grassland flowers. Fairy Flax, the Lemon Flowered Mouse-ear Hawkweed and Lady's Bedstraw can be found along with fragrant herbs such as Wild Thyme and Marjoram.

In the eastern end of the reserve, another quarry was infilled in the 1970's and heavy clay used as a capping causing the grassland to be damp throughout the year with Hard Rush, Soft Rush, Reed Canary-grass and Willows flourishing.

In the dense shade under the scrub, ivy forms thick carpets covering the hollows and mounds. Most woodland flowers need more light and Cuckoo-pint (Lords-and-ladies), Dog's Mercury, Lesser Celandine, Hedge Woundwort and Wild Rose are found closer to the paths.