Grinshill Quarries

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.8094, -2.7059

Also within

Shropshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SJ524237 Favourable 7.08 2024-04-26
SJ526237 Favourable 2.76 2015-03-16

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Triassic

Description

Area, 10.11 ha. 25 ac. Description Grinshill Quarries have yielded excellent fossil remains of the small Middle Triassic reptile Rhynchosaurus, including specimens used to define the species. This genus is only known from Britain although closely related forms come from Tanzania. The fossil bones from Grinshill are associated with beds of footprints, probably produced by the same animal. These finds came from currently disused pits, but footprints have been recovered recently, 1978 from a new working and the site has good potential for more discoveries. This is the best locality for Rhynchosaurus.