About the reserve

The reserve is on the line of the old marine cliff that formed the eastern edge of the chalk before the Ice Ages. There is a fine view over the Marsh to the sea from the road. The road is an extension of Barton Street, a prehistoric trackway that follows the edge of the chalk Wolds from the Humber to the Wash.

The chalk pit has been quarried at two levels. The upper level is wooded with ash and wych elm, although most of the latter has succumbed to Dutch elm disease. The lower level has grassy banks, with salad burnet, marjoram, wild basil, pyramidal orchid, common spotted-orchid and other chalk plants. Like most flowery chalk pits it is a haven for most of the common butterflies.

Management consists largely of scrub control and mowing.

Nearest postcode LN11 8FS. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.

Location information

Fir Hill Quarry location PDF

What3Words

///browsers.carefully.reckon