Windsor Hill Quarry, Geological research site in Shepton Mallet, England
Windsor Hill Quarry is a limestone excavation site near Shepton Mallet with exposed rock faces showing distinct layers from different geological periods. The exposed walls reveal clear stratification patterns and contain fossil material that researchers examine to understand the region's geological development.
The quarry operated as a limestone extraction site until 1957 with direct railway connections to the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. After the railway line closed, the site transitioned from commercial use to a location valued for scientific study.
Scientists and researchers frequently examine the quarry's geological features to study regional rock formations and analyze preserved fossil specimens.
Access is available through a marked public footpath that begins from the Bowlish area. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can become muddy, especially after rain, and the terrain is uneven in places.
The site preserves fossils of Oligokyphus, an extinct mammal species from the Middle Jurassic period. This makes it a significant location for understanding early mammal evolution in Britain.
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