Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Candlesby Hill Quarry

Woodland, scrub and open chalk grassland, which is still being colonised.

Location

Off Bluestone Heath Road, A1028

Candlesby

Nearest postcode PE23 5ST

OS Map Reference

TF 460 682

Know before you go

Size

2 hectares

Parking information

There is parking space for one car in the entrance; otherwise park on the verge by the roadside. Visitors are advised to park well away from the dangerous bend.

Walking trails

Cliff and scree should not be climbed and care must be taken not to trample vegetation unnecessarily in the summer. Beware of exposed lime kilns.

Access

Footpaths are mown grass tracks, may not be suitable for wheelchairs

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Assistance dogs only

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to August

About the reserve

At the southern tip of the eastern edge of the chalk Wolds, this quarry was once the Gunby estate chalk pit. The lime kilns are probably older than those at Mill Hill Quarry in Claxby, and the quarry has been disused for longer. The chalk cliff exposure shows only the Lower Chalk.

Several habitat types merge into one another. The track passes through tall hawthorn and ash wood, and scrub of dog rose and hawthorn, and finally emerges in an open grassland area, which is still being colonised. Most of the chalk flowers of the south-east Wolds (including four orchid species) are present, and woodland flora has developed in the ash wood.

Breeding birds include garden warbler, whitethroat, spotted flycatcher and several species of finch. Butterflies are abundant.

Nearest postcode PE23 5ST. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.