|
7. Brown's Folly
Grid ref:794 660 / Area: 38.5 hectares
Standing high above the river Avon, with commanding
views towards Bath, Brown's Folly boasts rich grasslands,
woodlands and scrub, which carpet the remains of the
old Bath stone quarries.
How to get there
We encourage visitors to use environmentally
friendly forms of transport wherever possible. Most
of our reserves are easily accessible by bicycle, with
many close to the National Cycle Network. Click
here to view a location map of the reserve on the National
Cycle Network website.
Alternatively, take the minor road from Bathford to
Kingsdown, taking a steep right-hand turn to Monkton
Farleigh. Car park is near the brow of the hill on
Prospect Place.
Access
Some paths are muddy in winter. Take extreme
caution when approaching rock faces. Mines must not
be entered.
Wildlife and conservation
The extensive remains of
Bath stone quarries provide a rich variety of wildlife
habitats. A delightful downland flora has covered the
spoilheaps where wild thyme, harebell and nine species
of orchid - including the rare fly orchid - are found.
The old mines offer a safe sanctuary for the threatened
greater horseshoe bat, while damp cliff faces support
a fascinating variety of ferns, fungi and spiders.
Secondary woodland of ash with sycamore has grown up
over the downland which once cloaked the hillside.
Pockets of ancient woodland on the lower slopes are
home to woodpeckers, and unusual plants such as Bath
asparagus.
To encourage the growth and spread of native trees,
planted conifers have been removed. Invading scrub
which threatens to shade out the grassland is being
cleared.
Other points of interest
The Bath stone quarries show good geological features
and are a valuable insight into the area's industrial
past.
|
