Reserves and speciesMeeth Quarry

Meeth Quarry

Posted by devon
2013-07-26 15:15

A Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve experience like no other – Meeth Quarry’s industrial past has produced a fascinating landscape for visiting today.

Until the late 1990s this was a busy quarry producing clay for export. Today it’s a tranquil wildlife haven with great access for visitors. However the signs of its history remain.
 

 

Bring your bike and binoculars!
Two enormous lakes sit within an undulating landscape formed from clay. Dotted in between are ponds, woodlands and grasslands.

Running through the reserve’s heart is the Tarka Trail cycle/walking path. Use your bike to explore the reserve on dedicated bike tracks or explore on foot. Picnic areas, a bird hide, large car park, toilets and some wonderful views make this one of our most visitor-friendly sites.
 

Get close to the wildlife
Wildlife has also been quick to make a home at Meeth Quarry. This is a wonderful place to see butterflies and dragonflies up close during spring, summer and autumn. In winter, spot brown hares on the reserve’s grassy slopes and geese and ducks on its lakes. 
 
Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry nature reserve has been supported by Viridor Credits Environmental Company.
 

Be aware
Meeth Quarry's two lakes are deep, steep-sided and contain hidden obstructions. For this reason swimming is not permitted anywhere on the nature reserve.     
 

Wildlife of Meeth
 
Meeth provides a home to the rare wood white butterfly. The video below, captured by John Chapple, shows their courtship display. 
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Devon Wildlife Trust
Size: 
150.00
Short Description: 
Bike trails, easy access trails and paths take you through a landscape with an industrial history. Two huge lakes, grassland and woodland dominate this former clay quarry. Butterflies, hares, dragonflies and birds have now replaced the quarry workers.
Smartphone Description: 
The Tarka Trail bike path takes you to the heart of this former industrial site. Birds and butterflies now line the trails around this large wildlife haven. Two vast lakes offer you wonderful views.
Location
Address: 
near village of Meeth 4 miles north of Hatherleigh EX20 3ER
Town: 
Hatherleigh
County: 
Devon
Postcode: 
EX20 3ER
Grid ref: 
SS 547 078
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Café / Refreshments: 
No
Picnic Area: 
Picnic area
Opening hours: 
8am-dusk for vehicle access to car park
Toilets: 
Yes Toilets
Disabled toilet: 
Disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
The Red waymarked trail is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. For those wanting to explore the area on foot use our Meeth Quarry Wild Walk as your guide.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Large car park. Follow access road off A386 for quarter of a mile, then car park is on left.
Walking information: 
A series of colour-coded trails allows access on foot, bicycle, horseback or mobility scooter. The Quarry adjoins DWT's existing nature reserve at Ash Moor and is adjacent to the Tarka trail for those wishing to explore the area. A three-mile Meeth Quarry Wild Walk acts as great introduction to the area.
Grazing animals: 
Ponies
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Devon Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01392 279244
Reserve email address: 
contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org
Photos
Photo: 
Explore the wild world of Meeth Quarry
Species: 
Brown Hare
Skylark
Ragged-Robin
Shoveler
Southern hawker
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve