Our Reserves

Permits are required for some of our nature reserves. This is to control the number of visitors onto sensitive areas. Permits are available from the Trust office. Members simply need to phone to be issued with the current gate and hide numbers, while non-members can purchase a permit for £12.

Hopton Quarry SSSI

(Grid reference SK262562)

Location: Just south of the A5012 Newhaven to Cromford road junction with the B5023 road to Middleton-by-Wirksworth.

Nearest Town:  Cromford

OS Map:  SK 262562  (OS Landranger 119 Buxton & Matlock)

How to get there: Travel up the Via Gellia from Cromford and turn left towards Hopton. Parking is 250m up on the right. Cross the road and climb the steep steps.

Access: A permit is required for this reserve. Permits are available from the Trust office. Please take care as all paths can be slippery.

Hopton Quarry is an important example of how wildlife can recolonise limestone quarry workings. The reserve is made up of three quarries supporting a rich variety of wildflowers and habitat of both local and national importance.

Possibly of most importance are the flat quarry floors where slow colonisation has enabled a rich diversity of limestone species.

From late spring through to summer this area is a wonderful place to search for orchids. Among the many species that grow here are both the uncommon fly orchid and frog orchid, as well as fragrant orchid and common spotted orchid.

Along the margins of the quarries scrub has invaded and in places woodland is well established, encouraging more shade-tolerant species including broad-leaved helleborine and common twayblade.