Seale Chalk Pit

There is restricted access to this reserve. Please contact the Trust on 01483 795440 for a permit.

This small old chalk quarry on the southern flank of the Hog’s Back is of particular interest for its geology and chalkland flowers and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The chalk here was formed in the Upper Cretaceous era (65-80 million years ago) and marks the boundary between the London Basin to the north and the Wealden anticline (where the rocks buckled up into a wide shallow dome) to the south; this is one of the few places where this important feature can be examined.

A working quarry until the 1930s, it was one of a series of small quarries along the Hog’s Back, which served a local market. Today it has been colonised by chalk grassland plants which can be found elsewhere along the North Downs, these include, bee, fly, common and spotted orchid, cowslip, spindle, eyebright, meadow cranesbill, cut-leaved cranesbill, red valerian, winter cress, wild teasel, hounds-tongue and musk mallow. Over 130 species have been recorded along with 30 species of moss.

The grassland is prone to continual invasion by scrub, which could shade out the delicate sun-loving plants and butterflies and moths, which thrive on them. Butterfly species found here include holly blue, painted lady, green-veined white, common blue, speckled wood, peacock, brimstone, orange tip and comma. Moths include the mocha, least carpet, maiden’s blush, treble brown spot, dark umber, sharp angled carpet, black arches and rosy footman amongst others.

Cutting and occasional grazing helps to keep scrub invasion in check.

This reserve is located on the southern flank of the Hog’s Back west of Guildford.  Access is via Wood Lane, Seale, near Farnham.