Raisby Way and Trimdon Grange Quarry Local Nature Reserve

About the Site

Raisby Way is a reclaimed railway path, which is managed by the Countryside Group of Durham County Council. Trimdon Grange Quarry Local Nature Reserve is an abandoned limestone quarry which is managed by Durham Wildlife Trust.

Raisby Way Railway Path

The disused railway cutting contains a mosaic of Magnesian Limestone habitats. An impressive species list includes frog orchid, fragrant orchid, pyramidal orchid, twayblade, common spotted orchid, sainfoin, quaking grass, salad burnet, agrimony, and basil thyme - a rare plant species.

The old line is bordered by scrub. In total, 22 species of butterfly have been recorded which including the comma, clouded yellow, Brown Argus and Dingy Skipper. The heath snail has also been found on the site.

There is a pond to the south of the disused railway where newts have been recorded.

Trimdon Grange Quarry Local Nature Reserve

The flat quarry floor has short, herb-rich grassland containing the classic flora associated with the Magnesian Limestone that lies beneath. The main nature conservation interest is the characteristic Magnesian Limestone grasslands. This type of grassland is one of the UK’s rarest habitats, most of which occurs in County Durham.

The grassland in the quarry bottom contains a rich variety of species such as quaking grass, blue moor-grass, meadow fescue, glaucous sedge, common knapweed, blue fleabane, field gentian, fairy flax, wild carrot, carline thistle, cowslip, salad burnet, fragrant orchid, frog orchid, bee orchid and common twayblade.

Many species of butterfly and moth have been recorded here, including the burnet moth, common blue, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell and orange tip. The hawthorn scrub provides food and good cover for many birds.

To the west of the site are areas of hawthorn scrub and ash woodland, where a variety of associated birds may be found. Several rose species are found here and hart’s-tongue fern is also present. The ground flora is poor except in a few open areas which contain wood avens and pignut.

Raisby Way and Trimdon Grange Quarry

Location

From Trimdon Village, head north towards Trimdon Grange, but take the left fork signposted 'Quarrington Hill'. After 1 mile this road crosses an old railway track where there is room to park on the grass verge. Walk along the disused railway track for 100 yards and the quarry can be accessed through a gap in the fence on the right. The path through the reserve is on flat ground but can be slippery in wet weather.

Facilities

None.

Enquiries

Raisby Way Railway Path
Countryside Group
Durham County Council
Environment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 3833594

Trimdon Grange Quarry
Durham Wildlife Trust
Rainton Meadows
Chilton Moor
Houghton-Le-Spring
Tyne and Wear
DH4 6PU
Tel: 0191 584 3112