Plump Hill Dolomite Quarry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Plump Hill Dolomite Quarry
Example - Autumn Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis)
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Type	Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve
Location	near Mitcheldean
Area	11.1 acres (4.5 ha)
Created	1982
Operated by	Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Status	Open all year

Plump Hill Dolomite Quarry is a special nature reserve in Gloucestershire, found in the beautiful Forest of Dean. It covers about 4.5 hectares, which is like 11 football fields! This amazing place is looked after by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. They have been managing it since 1982, working with the Forestry Commission. In 1987, the reserve grew bigger, adding more land to its northern and western sides. It's known as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) because it's so important for nature.

Discovering Plump Hill Quarry

This quarry is located right next to the A4136 road, about one mile south of Mitcheldean. It's close to other cool nature spots like Edgehills Quarry and Fairplay Iron Mine. Plump Hill Dolomite Quarry was once a busy place in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Workers used to dig out rocks here for building roads and making lime. Now, it's a quiet, disused quarry with three tall rock faces.

You can see different types of rock here, like Dolomite and limestone. These rocks show cool patterns from how they formed and changed over time. The bottom of the quarry is lower than the road, offering unique views. From the reserve, you can even see across the River Severn valley to the Cotswolds hills!

Amazing Plants of the Quarry

The floor of the quarry is a fantastic home for many plants that love growing on limestone. One very special plant you can find here is the Autumn Lady's-tresses. This plant has beautiful spiral-shaped flowers.

Other interesting plants you might spot include White Horehound, Harebell, and Carline Thistle. Look closely for Dwarf Thistle, Fairy Flax, and Blue Fleabane. You'll also find different types of Wild Thyme growing here, which smell lovely.

The grasses at the quarry are also special. Keep an eye out for Quaking-grass, which shakes in the wind, and Silver Hair-grass. You might also see Yellow Oat-grass and Crested Dog's-tail.

Between the rocks, you can find several types of ferns. These include Wall-rue, Maidenhair Spleenwort, and Hart's-tongue.

At the top of the quarry, where the digging was shallow, you'll see Bracken and Hawthorn bushes. The western side has lots of grassy areas with some bushes. On the eastern side, there are trees like Rowan, Sycamore, and Oak.

Wildlife: Birds and Insects

This reserve is a great place for spotting birds and many different kinds of insects, especially butterflies. It's a busy spot for wildlife!

Protecting the Reserve

To keep the grassland healthy for wildflowers, sheep sometimes graze here. This helps keep the grass short. Also, plants like Bracken need to be controlled so they don't take over. This care helps all the special plants and animals thrive.

Exploring the Area

There are guides available that tell you about places to visit in this part of the Forest of Dean. These guides can help you find the best spots for walks and for seeing specific wildlife.