About the reserve

One of the few remnants of primary, species-rich magnesian limestone grasslands in the country.

This nature reserve offers visitors stunning, 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape including Penshaw Monument.

Blue moor grass is the dominant grass with common rock rose, carline thistle, wild thyme, burnet saxifrage, felwort, restharrow and sea plantain which is more commonly associated with the coast.

The grassland is rich in invertebrates and meadow brown and common blue butterflies are abundant during the summer months.

There are stands of dense gorse and hawthorn scrub invading the western slope which does provide nesting cover for linnet, yellowhammer and common whitethroat.