About 1 mile from Rothwell, Northamptonshire
Rothwell Gullet
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
6.7
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.7An old ironstone quarry has become a compact, wooded reserve where exposed quarry rock, damp woodland and grassland meet. The rock walls left by quarrying now carry striking patches of hart’s-tongue fern.
Rothwell Gullet earns its place through contrast: a small, unexpectedly atmospheric former quarry where ironstone faces, dark damp undergrowth and fern-covered rock walls make a short visit feel more distinctive than an ordinary woodland stroll.
Peaceful · Atmospheric · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapAbout 1 mile from Rothwell, Northamptonshire
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The experience
A short nature-reserve visit focused on the old quarry’s rock faces, wooded paths and seasonal wildlife. The route is uneven and includes steps and stiles; this is not a suitable stop for wheelchair or pushchair users.
Things to do
See the old ironstone quarry faces
Look for the exposed rock walls left by quarrying and the swathes of hart’s-tongue fern growing on them.
Explore the damp woodland undergrowth
Notice the reserve’s woodland plants, including wood avens, dog’s mercury, primrose, wood anemone and male fern.
Look for butterflies near the entrance
The Wildlife Trust identifies wild privet near the entrance as a butterfly draw; species recorded there include common blue, small heath and green hairstreak.
Watch for burnet moths
Burnet moths are reported as common here in late June and July.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow under 1 hour; exact walking time is not stated by the source.
Quick quarry-and-woodland wander
- 01
Enter via the reserve entrance, allowing for the stile and steep steps.
- 02
Follow the winding, undulating path through woodland and grassland.
- 03
Pause at the old quarry rock faces to look for hart’s-tongue fern.
- 04
Return by the reserve path, taking care on steps and uneven ground.
Verified history
Rothwell Gullet is described by Wildlife Trust BCN as an old ironstone quarry. The remaining quarry rock faces are still visible and now support distinctive fern growth. The supplied research does not establish dates, ownership or the quarry’s wider industrial history.
Hidden details
Hart’s-tongue fern on the quarry rock — The old ironstone faces at the quarry bottom carry swathes of hart’s-tongue fern, a feature that gives the reserve much of its character.
Wild privet by the entrance — A large patch of wild privet near the entrance attracts butterflies, including common blue, small heath and green hairstreak.
When to go
April · May · June · July · August · September · October · No specific time of day is established by the supplied research.
Wildlife Trust BCN recommends April to October. Late June and July are noted for burnet moths; the research does not provide exact flowering peaks.
The source row warns that the reserve can become muddy after heavy rain; wear footwear suited to uneven, potentially muddy paths. Check current conditions before setting out.
What to look for
- 01
Look for hart’s-tongue fern growing across the old ironstone quarry faces. Near the entrance, the Wildlife Trust notes wild privet that attracts butterflies
- 02
burnet moths are common in late June and July.
The story
Ironstone quarrying
Best time to go
April to October, as advised by Wildlife Trust BCN. Late June and July bring burnet moths; check conditions after rain, when paths may be muddy.
Wildlife Trust BCN recommends April to October. For a more specific seasonal detail, look for burnet moths in late June and July.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Couples
Practical information
Opening & access
Wildlife Trust BCN says the reserve is open at all times and has no entry fee. Access involves a stile and steep steps, with an undulating path, further steps and another stile; it is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Dogs must be on a lead.
Parking
The source row mentions limited parking near the entrance but does not give a verified parking location or details. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs on a lead, according to Wildlife Trust BCN.
Accessibility
Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The reserve has a stile, steep steps, an undulating path, further steps and another stile.
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Rothwell Gullet
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Tailby Meadow
On the edge of Desborough, Northamptonshire, beside the River Ise
1.3 km away
Place photograph6.8Corby Old Quarry ‘Gullet’ (The Gulley)
Priors Hall Park, Corby, Northamptonshire
15.0 km away
Place photograph6.3Fermyn Woods Country Park
Lyveden Road, near Brigstock, Northamptonshire NN14 3HS
15.8 km away
