Cumbria Wildlife Trust to care for nature reserves near Burton-in-Kendal

The wildlife charity has taken over the management of Clawthorpe Fell National Nature Reserve and Holme Park Quarry Local Nature Reserve.

The two sites sit next to each other on the western edge of a large expanse of limestone pavement, which contains the striking outcrops of Hutton Roof Crags and Farleton Knott.

Limestone pavements are slabs of smooth grey rock, incised with deep fissures and patterned with swirling hollows.

And, according to the trust, with only 2,000ha remaining limestone pavement is one of the UK’s rarest and most vulnerable wildlife habitats.

With a range of rare plants and animals, the distinctive geological formations are a particular speciality of the north of England, and south and east Cumbria has some of the richest and most important examples of limestone pavement which survive in the country.

Stephen Trotter, chief executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “Limestone pavements are fantastic and precious places. Their dramatically sculptural and beautiful rock formations were carved by ice thousands of years ago and have been shaped by rainwater ever since.

“The distinctive plants which grow on them include a plethora of orchids, ferns and other wild flowers - and they are the natural inspiration for rock gardens. Sadly, these habitats have been threatened by, and much reduced due to their removal for use in gardens and water features.

“Cumbria Wildlife Trust has been looking after and protecting several unique limestone areas since the 1970s and so we’re delighted to protect and look after these sites, thanks to Aggregate Industries and Natural England.”

Pete Jones, reserves officer for Cumbria Wildlife Trust said: “We’re very grateful to Aggregate Industries for enabling us to take on these lovely nature reserves and are looking forward to the rewarding job of managing them for wildlife.

“We’ll be working closely with local people and contractors to help prevent scrub (small trees and shrubs) from dominating, and removing invasive plants, such as the garden escapee cotoneaster - it spreads so quickly and densely that it prevents the specialist plants that we want to encourage from growing underneath it.”

The mainland area of Clawthorpe Fell can be visited at any time, and a footpath runs through the edge of it from Clawthorpe Road to Curwen Woods beyond.

As the island lies entirely within the active quarry, there is no public access.

Holme Park Quarry Nature Reserve is open at all times and there is a series of permissive paths around the site and to the viewpoint.