6 Betchworth Lime Kiln

Historical Note: The two white cliffs near the top of Betchworth Hills are all that remains 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. The site is now part of 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.

The nature trail enters this area through woodland 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 chalk-rich quarry spoil, wildflowers thrive: wild thyme, cowslip, marjoram, greater knapweed, salad burnet, wild carrot, dropwort 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 Budleigh. This is a favourite place for honey bees, bumblebees and solitary bees foraging among the flowers

Continue down the slope on the path to Betchworth Station