Hopton Quarry

Fragrant orchid, Hopton Quarry, credit Natural Diversity

Fragrant orchid, Hopton Quarry, credit Natural Diversity

Frog orchid, Kieron Huston

Frog orchid, Kieron Huston

Common spotted orchid, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Common spotted orchid, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

An important example of how wildlife can recolonise limestone quarry workings

Location

What3Words ///jolt.void.bright
Just south of Middleton-by-Wirksworth. Off the Via Gellia.
Middleton
Derbyshire
DE4 4HE

OS Map Reference

SK 2609 5624
A static map of Hopton Quarry

Know before you go

Size
8 hectares
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Very limited parking on the hill just off the Via Gellia

Walking trails

Please take care as all paths can be slippery.

Access

Permit required, please contact the Trust.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Summer for wild flowers, orchids and butterflies

About the reserve

Hopton Quarry is a good example of how wildlife can recolonise limestone quarry workings.

The reserve is made up of three quarries supporting a rich variety of wild flowers and habitat that are both locally and nationally important. On the flat quarry floors a rich diversity of limestone plants have started to grow.

From late spring through to summer this 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.

Contact us

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01773 881188