Sourton Quarry

Sourton Quarry Lake in Autumn

Sourton Quarry. Photo, Liz Snell

Sourton Quarry

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CLOSED SITE WITH NO PUBLIC ACCESS.

A disused limestone quarry, now home to various plants, birds and bats. Access to the nature reserve is limited to a footpath which passes through. Deep water filled former quarry workings and buildings mean that wider access is not permitted.

Location

6 miles south west of Okehampton

Nr Okehampton
Devon

OS Map Reference

SX 523 892
A static map of Sourton Quarry

Know before you go

Size
9 hectares
image/svg+xmlz

Entry fee

No
image/svg+xml

Grazing animals

No
image/svg+xml

Walking trails

Dangers due to old quarry.

image/svg+xml

Access

No public access is granted to this nature reserve. Dangers due to old quarry workings, deep open water and large numbers of diseased ash trees (ash dieback).  A public bridleway bisects the site and provides views into the nature reserve.

Dogs

image/svg+xmlNo dogs permitted

When to visit

Opening times

No access

Best time to visit

None- this site is closed

About the reserve

The reserve consists of a steep sided flooded quarry, surrounded by spoil heaps that are now largely covered by wildflower rich open areas, scrub and woodland. The flooded quarry attracts kingfisher, little grebes and peregrine falcons. Eleven different species of bat, including greater and lesser horseshoes and Natterer's, find roosts in the buildings and tunnels.

 

Ash dieback

The disease ash dieback is now widespread in the UK and is present at many of our nature reserves, so we carry out tree felling across our sites in winter months. For your own safety please observe temporary path diversions and closures.

Where possible we will leave affected ash trees in place to decay naturally as an important habitat for wildlife. We plan to only fell diseased ash trees which pose a threat to people or infrastructure. Before trees are felled, we will check whether any rare or protected wildlife is present. If it is, we will postpone or avoid felling these trees. No felling will take place during the bird nesting season.

DWT’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes project are working with communities, landowners and businesses to help make Devon's precious treescapes more resilient in the face of ash dieback. Find out how you can get involved here.

 

NOTICE: If you are visiting our reserves, please note that there have been instances of H5N1 Avian bird flu found in birds in Devon. There is very low risk to public health, but we do ask that if you come across any unusual or unexplained bird deaths on or near our reserves please do not touch them and report them to Defra here or call 03459 335577. Please also report your findings to DWT by email at contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org

 

Contact us

Devon Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01392 279244

Location map

Sourton Quarry nature reserve leaflet

Explore our 50 nature reserves