About the event

Bishop Middleham Quarry is home to a number of orchid species. Discover all there is to know about these fascinating plants at one of the most important former quarry nature reserves in the UK. 

This will be a guided walk exploring the many different orchid species of Bishop Middleham Quarry Nature Reserve. Renowned for the rare dark-red helleborine orchid, this former quarry is home to a number of other species of orchid and a host of other important flora and fauna. This event will offer an opportunity to learn about orchids in close detail and also give participants an insight into many of the plants of Durham’s magnesian limestone grasslands. 

Trust guides will lead you through each orchid specimen. If you have a hand lens please bring it (if you don’t have a hand lens no worries we have plenty to borrow!). There will be some kneeling on the ground to get a better view of plants so if you have a knee pad please feel free to bring it (we will have some you will be able to use).

There will be some steps and paths are unsurfaced. 

Please wear sturdy footwear. There will be very little shade so a sun hat is highly recommended. 

Travel and parking

Parking is at Bishop Middleham village. Due to limited parking at the nature reserve, we request you park at Bishop Middleham village (///fidgeting.replaces.parsnips) where we will transport you to site. Transport departs Bishop Middleham village at 10am prompt (limited transport is available from Rainton Meadows, departing 9.15am prompt). Please add the options for transport from Rainton Meadows if required.

Please follow the parking instructions. There is extremely limited parking at the site and the road is very narrow and busy. For your enjoyment and safety we are asking you to park at Bishop Middleham village where we will transport you to site. 

Facilities

This nature reserve does not have a visitor centre/cafe/toilets.