Parking for Newbold Quarry Nature Reserve — Attraction in Rugby

Newbold Quarry Park is a nature reserve in Newbold-on-Avon, around 1½ miles north-west of Rugby town centre, Warwickshire, England. It consists of a former water-filled quarry surrounded by woodlands and covers an area of 10.50 hectares (25.9 acres). It is managed by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of Rugby Borough Council.

History

The site was formerly used to quarry for Blue Lias limestone, in connection with the local cement industry. Quarrying at the site was initiated in 1877 by the Newbold Lime & Cement Co. Ltd, and several cement kilns operated alongside the quarry. Production ended in 1910, started again briefly in 1920, and was abandoned permanently by 1923 after the quarry flooded. The plant was dismantled in 1927.

The derelict quarry was the scene of a tragedy in October 1990 when two local boys aged ten and six drowned after falling into the water, following this, the site was taken over by Rugby Borough Council in 1991 and turned into a nature reserve with improved access, fencing and warning signs.

Wildlife

Newbold Quarry Park attracts many water birds, such as great crested grebes, swans, moorhens and a variety of ducks. The clean, limey water also support native crayfish, which resemble small lobsters. Other species have also been found living in the water including smooth newts, frog tadpoles, pike and perch fish species, and also invertebrates living in the soft quarry walls. Bat boxes have also been provided.

Facilities



Path around the former quarry

There are viewing platforms along the blue lime-rich clay spoilbanks, and picnic sites. A number of paths have been constructed around the site, some of which are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. In addition, a fishing pier has been constructed to allow physically disabled people to safely reach the water's edge, and a disabled-user toilet and car park has also been provided. Entry is...

Grew up close by the quarry so know it well. Lots more fences all around and plenty of steep steps to climb if you want to walk all the way round. Commemorative plaque from 1993 echoes the sad loss of life up to that point that the water took away from us. It's been turned into a tranquil place to visit and my 5 year old son loved the adventure of the woods and we ended up doing a second lap in reverse when he realised we were back at the car. Say hello to the resident swans and ducks...

Often plenty of parking as most locals walk, lovely park but not really wheelchair friendly, there is disabled parking in a separate car park which does give access to the water and walkways besides it. The rest of the park has steps going up and down to different levels of the park and the views from the top are nice. Wildlife reserve. Good photography from...