Local Geological Sites in the Geopark

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.