Limestone country

Everything you see when you're out walking is shaped by the limestone rock which surrounds us. From soils to plants to trees to insects to paths to views.

It's one of the oldest features in our landscape and was formed about 330 million years ago when warm seas left marine sediments in layers which later became compressed and turned into rock.

The steady trickle of rainwater and surface water on this limestone has over the years led to the different cracks and shapes in the rock you can see today.  These have been given their own names.

’Clints’ are the large flat blocks of natural limestone pavement which have cracks in them called 'grikes'. Seeds often germinate in the 'grikes' and trees and plants can survive for years in these tiny habitats.

Look carefully in the coastal limestone at Jack Scout and you may discover some good examples of fossils such as coral fossils and brachiopod fossils.