Brathay Quarries
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY355009 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 10.67 | 2009-03-12 |
| NY357016 | — | Favourable | 13.91 | 2009-03-12 |
| NY359009 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 0.69 | 2012-05-22 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop · Mining / Industrial: Quarry
Description
Description Brathay Quarries are a series of small quarries and rock outcrops which are situated two kilometres south east of Skelwith Bridge, halfway between Ambleside and Hawkshead. The site displays the Brathay Flags, which represent almost the whole of the Wenlock in the Lake District and the Howgill Fells, the only other lithostratigraphic units of this age in this area being the Lower and Middle Coldwell Beds. Brathay represents the type locality for the graptolitic Brathay Flags. Coldwell Quarry is the type locality for the Coldwell Beds as originally conceived by Aveline, or the Middle Coldwell Beds of modern usage. These are unusual in the overwhelmingly graptolitic Wenlock of the Lake District in yielding a shelly, trilobitic fauna. Most of the Wenlock beds, which are well exposed in this area, belong to the Rigidus Tolinnarssoni zones. Higher units outcrop from the Riccartonensis zone to late Wenlock, at Coldwell Quarry. A very important site containing the type localities for the two main lithostratigraphic units of the Lake District Wenlock and including the junction with the underlying Llandovery. A site of historical, palaeontological and biostratigraphic significance.