Ashwell Quarry & Quarry Springs Hmwt Nature Reserve

A disused quarry nature reserve which supports varied chalk grassland species including orchids.

In summer this former quarry site is full of plants such as pyramidal orchid, field and small scabious, clustered bellflower and glaucous sedge. Deep shaded hollows add their own interest and many of the older thorn and elder bushes support rare mosses. The adjacent Quarry Springs produce a stream of water at consistent temperature of about ten degrees centigrade, which is the very special requirement of some of the rare species of flatworm which thrive here.