6 Betchworth Quarry & Lime Kiln

Historical Note: The two white cliffs near the top of Betchworth Hills are all that remain of Betchworth Quarry, where chalk was mined to produce lime and cement products from around 1867 to 1969.

A major part of the quarry was subsequently used as a landfill site which was completed at the end of 2005. The grassed area below the cliffs but above the woodland is on the thick soil cap on top of the landfill.

Below the landfill site is a 27-hectare nature reserve managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, part of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest, with rich chalk grassland, orchids, and several species of bat roosting in the old kilns which burnt chalk to create lime.

The nature trail enters this area through woodland and scrub above the brick lime kiln which towers over the landscape. This place is one of the ecological jewels of the trail. Here, on chalk grassland formed on quarry spoil, wildflowers thrive: wild thyme, cowslip, marjoram, greater knapweed, salad burnet, wild carrot, dropwort, kidney vetch and small scabious can be found.

In summer you may find bee orchids, pyramidal orchids and common spotted orchids. Butterflies such as the Chalkhill Blue, Adonis Blue and Marbled White dance across the slopes, while you might spot a Peacock or Red Admiral on the Buddleia. This is a favourite place for honey bees, bumblebees and solitary bees foraging among the flowers

After pausing to take in the view and observe the wildlife, continue down the slope on the path to Betchworth Station