Local Geological Sites, also known as are Regionally Important geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS), are sites that have been identified by local geoconservation groups as being of regional importance and then notified to the local authority planning departments as sites in need of protection from future development.
The Geopark also has other sites that have a higher level of protection status called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s). These are very important sites that have been chosen for biological, geological or geomorphological reasons. These sites are protected by statutory law and are managed by Natural England.
Local Geological Sites in the Geopark
The table below details the sites in the Geopark. It should be noted that a number of these sites are located on private land. Permission should always be sought from landowners before visiting sites. For more information about the sites, please contact the respective county Geology Trust/geological society.
| Site Name | County | Parish | Stratigraphy | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Hill Gardens | Shropshire | Bridgnorth | Permian: Bridgnorth Sandstone. | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| Hermitage Hill – Cutting | Shropshire | Bridgnorth | Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone and Lower Triassic Kidderminster Conglomerate | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| High Rock | Shropshire | Bridgnorth | Lower Triassic: Kidderminster Conglomerate, lying on top of Permian: Bridgnorth Sandstone | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| Quatford Church – road cutting | Shropshire | Quatford | Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone, | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| Quatford, ‘Little Chef’ – road cutting | Shropshire | Quatford | Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone. | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| The Hermitage | Shropshire | Bridgnorth | Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone and Lower Triassic Kidderminster Conglomerate | Sedimentology/Stratigraphy |
| Abberley Hall (South Terrace) | Worcestershire | Abberley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure, lithology and palaeontology |
| Abberley Hall East | Worcestershire | Abberley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | Fossils, structural and lithology |
| Abberley Village | Worcestershire | Abberley | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales | palaeoenvironment, structure and lithology |
| Bark Hill | Worcestershire | Bewdley | Carboniferous, Warwickshire Group, Etruria Formation | lithology, stratigraphy |
| Barrel Heald Quarry | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Silurian, Pridoli, Downton Castle Sandstone; Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group | Paleontology, structure, lithology and succession |
| Bewdley Road Cutting East | Worcestershire | Bewdley, Kidderminster | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Kidderminster Formation | lithology |
| Bewdley Road Cutting West | Worcestershire | Bewdley | Permian, Bridgnorth Sandstone Formation | lithology |
| Blackstone Rock | Worcestershire | Bewdley | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Kidderminster Formation | stratigraphy, lithology, Geomorphology. |
| Broad Down Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern Wells | Precambrian, Warren House Formation | lithology |
| Brockhill Court Quarry | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Carboniferous, Unnamed Dyke; Silurian, Pridoli, Raglan Mudstone Formation | Petrology, metamorphism, structure |
| Bruff Works | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | lithology, stratigraphy, structure, |
| Callow Farm Track | Worcestershire | Martley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | lithology, facies change, structure |
| Callow Track North | Worcestershire | Martley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure, lithology, palaeontology |
| Camp Farm Quarry | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group | structure, lithology, palaeontology |
| Castlemorton Common | Worcestershire | Castlemorton | Quaternary, Devensian, Head | landscape Form, lithology, fluvial processes. Incised channel, meanders |
| Crews Hill Nature Reserve | Worcestershire | Suckley, Alfrick | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure, palaeontology |
| Dingle Quarry | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure |
| Earnslaw Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern Wells | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | stratigraphy, lithology |
| Easthope Farm | Worcestershire | Great Witley | Silurian, Ludlow, Aymestry Limestone Formation | palaeontology, structure, lithology and landscape form |
| Eymore Railway Cutting | Worcestershire | Kidderminster Foreign | Carboniferous, Westphalian, Coal Measures Group | stratigraphy, lithology, palaeontology. |
| Fetterlocks Wood | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure, lithology, stratigraphy |
| Hall Farm | Worcestershire | Stoke Bliss | Quaternary, Anglian, Risbury Formation, Kyre Brook Valley Formation | Terrace deposits. stratigraphy, Quaternary, sedimentary features, glaciofluvial features, ripples. |
| Hartlebury Common | Worcestershire | Hartlebury | Quaternary, Devensian, Power House Member; Wolstonian, Kidderminster Station Member; Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation, Wildmoor Sandstone Formation | Terrace deposits. stratigraphy, Quaternary, wind blown sands |
| Hextons Quarry | Worcestershire | Upper Arley | Carboniferous, Warwickshire Group, Salop Formation, Alveley Member | Building stone, lithology |
| High Wood Sports Field | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Silurian, Llandovery, Wyche Formation, Cowleigh Park Formation | lithology, succession |
| Hunthouse No. 6 Colliery | Worcestershire | Mamble | Carboniferous, Warwickshire Group, Halesowen Formation; Coal Measures Group, Lower Coal Measures, Rider Coal | succession, mining history |
| Hunthouse Wood | Worcestershire | Mamble | Carboniferous, Warwickshire Group, Halesowen Formation; Coal Measures Group, Lower Coal Measures, Rider Coal | succession, mining history, faulting |
| Ivy Scar Rock | Worcestershire | Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | type locality, lithology |
| Knightwick | Worcestershire | Lulsley | Quaternary, Devensian, Severn Valley Formation, Holt Heath Member | Palaeonvironment, fluvial Features |
| Leapgate Old Railway Line and Quarry | Worcestershire | Stourport-on-Severn | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Wildmoor Sandstone Formation | stratigraphy, sedimentary features. |
| Leigh Brook | Worcestershire | Alfrick | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation; Silurian, Llandovery, May Hill Sandstone Group, Wyche Formation, Cowleigh Park Formation | fluvial processes, stratigraphy |
| Lippetts Farm Quarry | Worcestershire | Great Witley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure ,way up, stratigraphy, palaeontology |
| Little Malvern Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern Wells | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure, shear zones |
| Longley Green Quarry | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group; Aymestry Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group | lithology, sturcture |
| Mamble Colliery | Worcestershire | Mamble | Carboniferous, Warwickahire Group, Halesowen Formation; Coal Measures Group | lithology, mining history, succession |
| Martley Road Cutting | Worcestershire | Martley | Triassic, Mercia Mudstone Group; Sherwood Sandstone Group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation | lithology, stratigraphy, structure |
| Osebury Rock | Worcestershire | Lulsley | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation | lithology, landform |
| Park Wood Quarries | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Silurian, Ludlow, Lower Ludlow Shales group, Elton Formation; Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Fm | structure, stratigraphy, lithology, palaeontology. |
| Penny Hill Quarry | Worcestershire | Martley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | lithology, sedimentology and paleontology |
| Quarry Farm, Penny Hill | Worcestershire | Martley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | lithology, structure |
| Redstone Rock | Worcestershire | Astley and Dunley | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Wildmoor Sandstone Formation | lithology, landform, caves |
| Rushy Valley | Worcestershire | Malvern | Quateranry, Pleistocene, Head | Dry Valley landform, gelifluction, Quaternary, stone runs |
| Scar Cottage | Worcestershire | Martley | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation | lithology, sedimentary features, sturcture |
| Scar Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure, mineralisation |
| Shavers End Quarry | Worcestershire | Astley and Dunley, Great Witley | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group; Aymestry Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group | lithology, structure, stratigraphy |
| Sheephill Coppice | Worcestershire | Suckley | Quateranry, Anglian, Mathon Formation | Quaternary, stratigraphy, sedimentology |
| Shewards Quarry | Worcestershire | Abberley | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group | lithology, structure, palaeontology, sedimentary features |
| Shrawley Woods High Quarry | Worcestershire | Shrawley | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation, Flinstall Member | stratigraphy, building stone, sedimentology, fluvial features |
| Southstone Rock | Worcestershire | Stanford with Orleton | Quaternary, Recent, Tufa | Quaternary, lithology, tufa |
| Suckley 2 | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlcok Limestone Formation | lithology, structure, facies, palaeontology |
| Suckley 3 | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlcok Limestone Formation | lithology, structure, facies, palaeontology |
| Suckley 4 | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlcok Limestone Formation | lithology, structure, facies, palaeontology |
| Suckley 5 | Worcestershire | Suckley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlcok Limestone Formation | lithology, structure, facies, palaeontology |
| Swinyard Hill Quarry | Worcestershire | Castlemorton | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure |
| Sycamore Tree Quarry | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Silurian, Llandovery, Cowleigh Park Formation, Miss Phillips Conglomerate; Precambrian, Malverns Complex | stratigraphy, lithology, structure. |
| Tank Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure |
| The Woodlands Quarry, Stud Lane | Worcestershire | Abberley | Carboniferous, Warwickshire Group, Halesowen Formation | lithology, palaeontology, structure, sedimentary features |
| Top Barn Farm North | Worcestershire | Holt | Quaternary, Devensian, Severn Valley Formation, Holt Heath Member | stratotype, sedimentology, river terrace, Quaternary |
| Top Barn Farm South | Worcestershire | Holt | Quaternary, Devensian, Severn Valley Formation, Worcester Member | stratotype, sedimentology, river terrace, Quaternary |
| Upper Wyche Quarry | Worcestershire | Malvern Wells | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure, faulting |
| Wallhouse Plantation Quarry | Worcestershire | Great Witley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | way-up structures, lithology, inverted paleontology |
| Walsgrove Hill | Worcestershire | Great Witley | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group; Aymestry Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group | structure, landform, viewpoint |
| West of England Quarry | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | structure, lithology, intrusion, igneous, mineralogy, |
| Westminster Bank Quarry | Worcestershire | West Malvern | Precambrian, Malverns Complex | lithology, structure, faulting, metamorphism |
| Whiteleaved Oak Quarry | Worcestershire | Berrow | Ordovician, Tremadoc, Bronsil Shale Formation; Cambrian, Hollybush Sandstone Formation, Malvern Quartzite Formation; Precambrian, Malverns Complex | structure, stratigraphy, metamorphism, sedimentology |
| Wide Valley | Worcestershire | Malvern Wells | Quaternary, Holocene, Head | lithology, Quaternary, dry valleylandform |
| Woodbury Old Quarry | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Silurian, Pridoli; Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group | lithology, structure, palaeontology |
| Woodbury Quarry | Worcestershire | Shelsley Beauchamp | Quaternary, Ipswichian, Till; Silurian, Pridoli; Downtaon Castle Sandstone Formation, Ludlow Bone Bed Member; Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group; Aymestrey Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group | lithology, stratigraphy, Quaternary, glacial history |
| Worcester Road Cutting | Worcestershire | Kidderminster | Triassic, Sherwood Sandstone Group, Wildmoor Sandstone Formation | lithology, sedimentology |
| Kinsham Gorge – River Lugg | Herefordshire | Byton | – | Misfit valley, fluvial features. landform (gorge), fluvial processes, glacial history/geomorphology |
| Knapp Lane Quarry | Herefordshire | Ledbury | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group, Leintwardine Formation; Aymestry Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group, Bringewood Formation, Elton Formation |
structure, palaeontology, lithology |
| Ledbury Tunnel Quarry | Herefordshire | Ledbury | Silurian, Ludlow, Aymestry Limestone Formation; Lower Ludlow Shales Group, Bringewood Formation, Elton Formation |
structure, palaeontology, lithology |
| Linton Quarry | Herefordshire | Linton (Old Gore) | Silurian, Pridoli, Downton Castle Sandstone, Ludlow Bone Bed; Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group, Whitcliffe Formation, Leintwardine Formation; Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone/Gorsley Limestone, |
stratigraphy, lithology, Attenuated Sequence |
| Linton Tile Works | Herefordshire | Linton (Bringsty) | Devonian, Lower Old Red Sandstone, St. Maughan’s Formation | stratigraphy, lithology, Palaeoenvironment |
| Linton Wood Quarry | Herefordshire | Linton (Old Gore) | Silurian, Ludlow, Upper Ludlow Shales Group, Diaya Beds; Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation |
stratigraphy, lithology |
| M50 Section 2 | Herefordshire | Linton (Old Gore) | Devonian, Lower Old Red Sandstone, Brownstones Formation; St. Maughans Formation |
type section, lithology, structure |
| M50 Section A | Herefordshire | Linton (Old Gore) | Devonian, Lower Old Red Sandstone, Brownstones Formation; St. Maughans Formation; Silurian, Pridoli, Raglan Mudstone Formation, Bishops Forme Limestone Member |
type section, lithology, stratigraphy |
| Middle Hollybush Quarry | Herefordshire | Eastnor | Cambrian, Hollybush Sandstone Formation; Precambrian, Malverns Complex |
lithology, structure, stratigraphy |
| News Wood | Herefordshire | Eastnor | Silurian, Wenlock, Woolhope Limestone Formation | structure, lithology |
| Purlieu, Brockhill Coppice | Herefordshire | Colwall | Quaternary, Recent, Tuffa; Silurian, Ludlow, Lower Ludlow Shales Group |
tufa formation, active process, lithology |
| Risbury Bridge | Herefordshire | Ford and Stoke Prior | Quaternary, Anglian, Risbury Formation, Humber Formation, Devonian, Lower Old Red Sandstone, St Maughans Formation |
lithology, type section, glacial history |
| Slashers Quarry | Herefordshire | Eastnor | Quaternary, Pleistocene, Head; Drift; Cambrian, Comley, Hollybush Sandstone Formation; Precambrian, Malverns Complex |
lithology, structure, Quaternary |
| Stifford’s Bridge | Herefordshire | Cradley | Quaternary, Anglian, Mathon Sand and Gravel Formation | Quaternary, lithology |
| The Brays | Herefordshire | Mathon | Quaternary, Anglian, Risbury Formation; Mathon Sand and Gravel Formation |
lithology, stratigraphy |
| Ward Hill | Herefordshire | Bishop’s Frome | Silurian, Pridoli, Raglan Mudstone, Bishops Frome Limestone | lithology, stratigraphy |
| Warner’s Farm Pit | Herefordshire | Mathon | Quaternary, Anglian, Risbury Formation; Coddington Till Formation; Mathon Sand and Gravel Formation |
Till. lithology, stratigraphy, Quaternary, glacial history |
| Whitmans Hill Coppice | Herefordshire | Cradley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | lithology, stratigraphy, structure |
| Whitmans Hill Quarry | Herefordshire | Cradley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | stratigraphy, succession, lithology, palaeontology |
| Wild Goose Farm | Herefordshire | Cradley | Silurian, Wenlock, Much Wenlock Limestone Formation | lithology, palaeoenvironment, palaeontology |
| Gullet Main Quarry | Herefordshire & Worcestershire | Eastnor, Castlemorton | Silurian, Llandovery, Wyche Formation; Precambrian, Malverns Complex |
lithology, structure |
| Bromsberrow Sand Pits | Gloucestershire | Bromsberrow | Bridgnorth Sandstone; Bromsgrove Sandstone | |
| Flaxley Quarry | Gloucestershire | Blaisdon | Ludlow | |
| Burdon’s Cottage | Gloucestershire | Pauntley | Whiteleaved Oak Shale | |
| Glebe Barn Quarry | Gloucestershire | Staunton | Arden Sandstone | |
| Colehill Cottage Cutting | Gloucestershire | Red Marley | Bronsil Shale; Ordovician Intrusives | |
| Blaisdon Wood End | Gloucestershire | Blaisdon | Wenlock | |
| Huntley Quarry | Gloucestershire | Huntley | Late Ordovician – Rhuddanian (Lowest Llandovery) | |
| Taynton (Glasshouse) Goldmine | Gloucestershire | Newent | Ludlow; Raglan Mudstone | |
| Durbridge Mill | Gloucestershire | Pauntley | Bromsgrove Sandstone | |
| Bearfoot Wood Cutting | Gloucestershire | Huntley | Huntley Hill; Yartleton | |
| Bromsberrow Lane Cutting | Gloucestershire | Bromsberrow | Bridgnorth Sandstone | |
| Old Quarry, Cliffords Mesne | Gloucestershire | Clifford Mense | Downton Castle Sandstone | |
| The Rocklands Cutting | Gloucestershire | Longhope | Ludlow; Cliffords Mesne Sandstone; Raglan Mudstone | |
| Mugglewort Cutting | Gloucestershire | Blaisdon | Wenlock; Mercia Mudstone | |
| Chase End Quarry | Gloucestershire | Bromsberrow | Malvernian | |
| Drury Lane | Gloucestershire | Staunton | Mercia Mudstone; Bromsgrove Sandstone | |
| Bright’s Hill Quarry | Gloucestershire | Huntley | May Hill Sandstone Group, Huntley Hill formation | |
| Quarry Bank and Huntley Church Exposures | Gloucestershire | Huntley | Bromsgrove Sandstone | |
| Castle Hill Wood Stream Section | Gloucestershire | Newent | Woolhope Limestone – calcareous mudstones | |
| Huntley Hill Cutting | Gloucestershire | Huntley | Huntley Hill Formation |
How Local Geological Sites are designated
A potential site is surveyed and assessed against a national set of qualifying criteria. These are:
- Educational value for fieldwork in primary and secondary schools, at undergraduate level and in adult education courses
- Scientific value for study by both professional and amateur Earth scientists. Such sites demonstrate, alone or as part of a network, the geology or geomorphology of an area
- Historical significance in terms of important advances in Earth Science knowledge
- Aesthetic qualities in the landscape, particularly in relation to promoting public awareness and appreciation of Earth Sciences
When a site is chosen for designation, detailed records are made of it and then the information is passed on to the local authority planning departments. They then add it to a special “alert” map to ensure it is “flagged” up as requiring special protection. At the same time the records are also stored on the relevant Trust’s Geological Records Database.
