Rothwell Gullet

About the reserve

Rothwell Gullet provides an unexpected delight to those who make the effort to seek it out. It is well-wooded, and the dark, damp undergrowth holds a mass of fungi, wood avens and dog's mercury, together with primrose, wood anemone and male fern. Equally spectacular are the rock walls - the remains of the of the ironstone face at the quarry bottom - where you will find swathes of hart's-tongue fern, an attractive plant which adds greatly to the atmosphere of the site.

At the entrance is a large patch of wild privet which attracts butterflies, including common blue and small heath, along with green hairstreak. Burnet moths are common in late June and July.