Betchworth Quarry and Lime Kilns

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Betchworth Quarry and Lime Kilns
Betchworth Quarry - geograph.org.uk - 869919.jpg
TypeNature reserve
LocationBetchworth, Surrey
OS gridTQ198511
Area27 hectares (67 acres)
Managed bySurrey Wildlife Trust

Betchworth Quarry and Lime Kilns is a 27-hectare (67-acre) nature reserve west of Betchworth in Surrey. It is managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.[1] It is part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest[2] and Special Area of Conservation.[3]

This chalk downlands site is part of the North Downs and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a rich variety of flowering plants, including orchids. The lime kilns house a variety of bat species, such as the whiskered, Natterer's, brown long-eared, Brandt's and Daubenton's.[1]

History[]

Chalk has been quarried on a small scale in the area around Dorking since at least the 1600s. In 1865 the Dorking Greystone Lime Company was incorporated to open a large quarry at Betchworth. A standard gauge siding was laid from Betchworth railway station to the lime kilns built at the foot of the North Downs escarpment. [4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Betchworth Quarry and Lime Kilns". Surrey Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Designated Sites View: Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Designated Sites View: Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment". Special Areas of Conservation. Natural England. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. ^ Lime, Harry (July 2001). "The Dorking Greystone Lime Company and its railway - a tale of four gauges". Railway Bylines. pp. 350–354.

Coordinates: 51°15′32″N 0°15′36″W / 51.259°N 0.260°W / 51.259; -0.260

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