About the reserve

Wildlife Highlights

Historic and current quarrying at Clawthorpe Fell have created a nature reserve of two parts. The accessible mainland section is an expanse of quarried limestone pavement, while the island (closed to public access) in the middle of the working quarry features intact limestone pavement. Hundreds of millions of years of geology are revealed where the island rises from the quarry floor.

Both parts are rich havens for wildlife. The old quarried areas of pavement on the mainland section are now a fantastic habitat for rare plants such as dark-red helleborine and bird's-foot sedge. It's also becoming an increasingly good habitat for butterflies and moths.

The habitats on the island are very special with juniper and many ferns growing among the pavement.

In spring and summer - Keep an eye open for peregrines flying over the quarry. Listen out for the descending, tinkling call of the willow warbler as you walk through the woodland next to the pavement.

In summer - Grayling, wall and small heath butterflies may be glimpsed as they flutter over the limestone.

Recent History

Clawthorpe Fell was designated a National Nature Reserve in 1976. It is owned by Aggregate Industries and has been managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust since 2021.

Why not make a day of it?

Visit Holme Park Quarry and Hutton Roof Crags nature reserves - both can be visited independently or on a longer walk using public footpaths.

Getting here

By car:

From the A6070 from Burton-in-Kendal, turn onto Clawthorpe Road at Clawthorpe Hall Business Centre. Continue on this road for 0.9 km/0.5 miles. There is a small layby on the left-hand side, after the houses. Parking is extremely limited.

By bicycle:

The nature reserve is 5 km/2.5 miles from Regional Route 90.

By public transport:

Buses run along the A6070 as part of the 555 service between Kendal and Lancaster.