Sundon Chalk Quarry, Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Upper Sundon, United Kingdom.
Sundon Chalk Quarry is a former quarry across approximately 26 hectares with multiple excavation pits at different stages of recovery. The site holds wetlands, lakes, chalk grassland, scrub, and woodland that support a large variety of plants and animals.
The site began supplying chalk and marl to Sundon cement works in 1899 and continued this operation until 1976. After closure, the land was transformed into a scientific protected area that has allowed new habitats to develop.
The site functions as a space for nature observation where visitors encounter different habitats side by side. People come here to discover the variety of life in open grasslands, woodland, and wetland areas.
The site is privately owned but offers free public access through the Chiltern Way footpath that crosses the land. Wear comfortable footwear and be prepared for uneven ground and potentially wet areas, especially after rain.
The site harbors the largest colony of Chiltern gentian in England and provides habitat for rare butterfly species. The Adonis blue is among the twenty-one butterfly species found here that draw attention from nature watchers.
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