Geosite
This geosite sits within the wide Smestow Valley, which is a major geomorphological feature of the Black Country on its western margin.
It has been an important access route through the local sandstone ridge and hills. This glacial meltwater enhanced valley now holds the Smestow Brook and was the obvious route to place an industrial railway line and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal. The exposed geology in the valley includes, a series of narrow, twisting, ribbon-like sand and gravel areas that are cut into the upper part of the exposed bedrock, the Triassic Wildmoor Sandstone Member. These are enigmatic channel features infilled with sediments relating to the Quaternary Devonsian glaciations of the area. Such features are unique in the Black Country and make this an important geoscience site. The quarries here also include a variety of sedimentary structures, and showing both dip and strike sections of the bedrock making this a potentially important geoeducational site.
Geosite facilities
There is a vintage inspired tea room called 'Cupcake Lane' in the old railway station building at Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve serving homemade cakes, light lunches, hot and cold drinks. Free car parking available.
If you like this, try these too...
Geosite West Park has a tea room (open Thursday to Sunday) and toilet facilities.
Geosite Wolverhampton Art Gallery with over 300 years of art in a free gallery with fantastic changing and permanent galleries including a changing programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. There is also a café offering a selection of hot and cold refreshments. Bilston Gallery offering a range of contemporary craft exhibitions and displays of historic items created by skilled makers.
Geosite Bantock House has a café courtyard offering breakfast, sandwiches a range of main courses, cakes and desserts are available. The café is open November to April 9am-4pm and May to October 9am-5pm.