Map reference
OS 1:50,000
Sheet No. 86
Grid reference NY 457 526
Size 1.8 hectares
Status Local Wildlife Site
Access
The reserve is accessed via a public footpath from Cumwhinton Village signed to Wetheral Shield which crosses a field to the railway line (0.7km/0.4 miles from public road). At the railway line turn right for the reserve. The path around the reserve has some steep slopes with steps.
Directions
By car From M6 Junction 42 take turning for Wetheral. In Cumwhinton village take the minor road signed for Cotehill and Armathwaite. There is very limited parking on right hand verge next to electricity substation. The public footpath to the reserve leaves between two rows of houses on the opposite side of the road. By bicycle The reserve is 5km/3 miles from National Route 72 (Hadrian's Cycleway). By public transport Buses run from Carlisle to Cumwhinton.
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Quarry Banks - Allan Wilson Memorial Reserve
What to expect on the nature reserve: habitat, wildlife and more (hover over an icon for more info)
Seasonal highlights on the nature reserve
Spring
Plants: woodland ground flora – including bluebell, wood anemone, wood sorrel and violet
Summer
Trees: oak woodland canopy
Plants: meadow flora, betony, knapweed, devil's bit scabious, yellow iris.
Butterflies: ringlet, large skipper
Autumn
General: woodland colour and leaf fall
Winter
General: woodland winterscape
All year
General: peaceful and attractive woodland and meadow reserve.
Overview
Quarry Banks is very much a product of the railway age. When the Settle-Carlisle line was built in the 1860s the area of land between it and the Pow Maughan Beck became isolated from the surrounding farmland making it uneconomic to manage. The quarry on the nature reserve was itself developed to provide sandstone for railway bridges and buildings. The oak woodland, at the northern end of the nature reserve, is clearly far older than the railway and may even be a remnant of ancient woodland.
What to see
The ground flora, best seen in April and May, includes bluebell, wood anemone, wood sorrel and violet. The quarry is partially flooded, although the pond which has developed in it is shaded by the surrounding woodland and therefore has little floating or emergent vegetation. Both woodland and quarry are managed largely by limited intervention.
Beyond the quarry is a small meadow. This contains species typical of unimproved grasslands in this area such as knapweed, great burnet, betony, yellow rattle and devil's-bit scabious. Towards the beck, plants such as yellow iris, ragged robin and marsh marigolds occur. The meadow is grazed in autumn and winter each year to maintain the diversity of plant species. 60 species of bird have been recorded on the nature reserve including spotted flycatcher, great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl and moorhen, which have all bred. The meadow area attracts butterflies in the summer including ringlet and large skipper.
Recent history
The site was purchased from British Rail in 1987 in memory of Allan Wilson, a former member of the Trust's Education Committee and education adviser to the local education authority.
Find us on
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited,
a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 724133.
Registered Charity No. 218711.
Overview
The meadow is grazed in autumn and winter each year to maintain the diversity of plant species. 60 species of bird have been recorded on the nature reserve including spotted flycatcher, great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl and moorhen, which have all bred. The meadow area attracts butterflies in the summer including ringlet and large skipper.
