Where to visit a limestone pavement
There are a number of places in the UK where you can go and see limestone pavement for yourself. |
Grange-over-Sands limestone pavements
The Grange-over-Sands limestone pavements are easily accessible from the town of Grange which has good bus and train links. The pavements on the side of Hampsfell are
wooded and at the top is an expanse of open pavement with a view from the top taking in the Lakeland Fells and Morecambe Bay. Well worth a visit!
Click here to view a pdf file of the leaflet "Limestone Landscapes the Grange Pavements" with information about the limestone pavements at Grange(838k download.)
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Grange-over-Sands Copyright OS
Top of Hampsfell
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Malham Cove
The most famous limestone pavement in the UK is that above Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales
which receives a large number of visitors every year (From Malham Village grid ref SD 897 641). Click on the map image to see a larger scale map. |
Limestone pavement at Malham Copyright OS |
Whitbarrow Scar
There are many other pavements which have public access. In South Cumbria these include Whitbarrow Scar (Footpath access from Witherslack Hall at grid ref SD 437 859)
and Hutton Roof .
To see more about Whitbarrow Scar, click here to view a pdf file of the access leaflet (873k download.)
Click on the map image to see a larger scale map. |
Whitbarrow Scar Copyright OS |
The Hutton Roof Complex
The Holme, Burton and Hutton Roof limestone pavement complex has some very interesting
limestone pavement morphology, including The Rakes, an area of steeply sloping pavement which has a diamond shaped grike pattern.
(From Hutton Roof village at grid ref SD 570 783)
Click here to view a pdf file the leaflet "Limestone Landscapes"
with information about Holme, Burton and Hutton Roof pavements (645k
download.) |
Hutton Roof Copyright OS
The Rakes at Hutton Roof
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Great Asby Scar and the Orton Fells
In the east of Cumbria, Great Asby Scar National Nature Reserve is an impressive pavement
with a bridleway running through it (access from the south of Great Asby Village at grid ref NY 656 109). Click on the map image to
see a larger scale map.
Click here to view a pdf file of the Orton Fells Limestone Landscapes
leaflet (435k download) |
Limestone pavement at Asby Scar Copyright OS
Asby National Nature Reserve
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Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve
Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve in North Lancashire is easily reached from the road and
doesn't involve any climbing or steep walking. Access can be gained from the road between Arnside and Silverdale at grid ref SD 479
777. Click on the map image to see a larger scale map.
Click here to view a pdf file of the Natural England access leaflet (246k
download.) |
Gait Barrows Nature Reserve Copyright OS
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Great Orme
In North Wales, the Great Orme limestone pavements near Llandudno offer an impressive view
over the sea (grid ref SH 276 384). Click on the map image to see a larger scale map. |
Great Orme's Head Copyright OS
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Brecon Beacons National Park (Wales)
Click here for website |
Killykeegan, Crossmurrin National Nature Reserves (Northern Ireland)
Click here for website |
Marble Arch Caves (Northern Ireland):
Click here for website |
Republic of Ireland Nature Reserves:
- Keelhilla, Dromore Woods, Coole Park
Click here for website
- The Burren National Park
Click here for website |
WARNING
Limestone pavements are dangerous places. When limestone pavement
is covered in moss or plants, or is wet, the clints are extremely
slippery. On shady limestone pavements, the grikes are often invisible
due to vegetation cover. If you go and visit a pavement, make sure
you wear suitable shoes, and wherever possible stick to public footpaths.
The UK and Ireland Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group accepts no responsibility for
accidents as we encourage responsible behaviour on limestone pavements. |
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