Geosite
This is an important geosite for the geopark, linking geology, quarrying heritage and the built environment of a conservation area.
The site comprises extensive, shallow sandstone quarries that provide the best and most extensive exposures of Silurian Downton Castle Sandstone Formation strata (the 'Gornal Grit') in the Black Country. These quarries and the surrounding urban area (particularly Vale Street conservation area) offer an important, tangible direct link between he quarried stone, its uses in constructing the urban fabric and providing 'distinctiveness' to the built character. A few hundred metres to the north of the site is Ruiton Mill, constructed from the sandstone and itself a Scheduled Monument. There are walking trails across the site.
Geosite facilities
There are no visitor facilities on this site so please bear this in mind before your visit.
if you like this, try these...
Geosite Dudley Museum at The Archives, the geosite headquarters for all information relating to the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark.
Geosite Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve - world renowned site and one of the best places to find fossils. Less than 1km from the museum.
Geosite Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust - Singing Cavern Experience - take a canal narrow boat trip into the underground limestone mines.