Hylton Castle Cutting

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.9231, -1.4396

Also within

Tyne & Wear County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
NZ360588 Favourable 0.2 2014-03-26

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Permian · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 1.1 ha. 2.8 ac. Description At Hylton Castle rocks from the Middle Magnesian Limestone are exposed in a road cutting through the core of a late Permian reef. The reef core sediments here yield a rich marine fauna of brachiopods, bivalves, bryozoans and gastropods making this an important site for the study of ancient reefs and their faunas. Other Information 1. The site boundary has been amended to exclude some land previously notified*. 2. This site is identified as of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review. * Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.