Breakheart Quarry Walk Near Dursley in Gloucestershire
Breakheart Quarry near Dursley in Gloucestershire is a great place to go for a walk or picnic. It’s also a fantastic place for a dog walk. The area is a former quarry and a great place to study the geology or maybe find a fossil. It is also a great place to see some wildlife while exploring. This includes many rabbits, squirrels, and kestrels hunting above. Breakheart Quarry also has some nice picnic tables in the area.
Getting to the quarry from Dursley is pretty straightforward. It is a short drive to the car parking area from Dursley. Alternatively, you can take the 20-minute uphill walk from the town centre. Note: the car park closes at 5 pm.
Dog Walk
For a unique place to go for a dog walk in the Cotswolds, you might want to head to Breakheart Quarry near to Dursley. You can park up and explore the quarry, with lots of options for a dog walk.
Geology of Breakheart Quarry
The area is a fascinating place to see or study Cotswold geology. As a former quarry, it has lots of exposed rocks and rock formations. You can see a variety of stones at the quarry. You can also spot a range of fossils in the quarry. The site also makes for an interesting habitat.
Nature Trail Birdwatching & Wildlife
A few signs show the wildlife you can spot while walking in Breakheart Quarry. You can spot some common species and rarer ones. The reserve also has a variety of tree and flower species. Species that live at the quarry include.
- Squirrels
- Rabbit
- Badgers
- Muntjac Deer
- Slow Worms
- Dormouse
- Dragonflies and damselflies
- A vast selection of butterfly types, including red admiral butterflies
- Stoats
- Hedgehogs
- Frogs and toads
The site is also a fantastic place to go birdwatching. Some species you can observe include:
- Nuthatch
- Kestrel
- Blackcap
- Bullfinch
- Chaffinch
- Goldfinch
- Woodpeckers, including the green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker.
- Jay
- Pheasant
- Raven
- Tawny Owl
- Willow Warbler
- Wood pigeons
- A variety of tits, including the great tit.
Picnic & Refreshments at Breakheart Quarry
They have a few picnic tables at the quarry, which are a great place to enjoy a packed lunch if visiting the site. Breakheart Quarry also has a visitor centre that serves refreshments. They have inside tables and serve both hot and cold drinks. The visitor centre is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 until 5 pm.
They also have a children’s play area with swings, climbing ropes and other fun things to do.
Mountain Bike Trail
Breakheart Quarry has a long mountain bike course on the site. This takes you through the woods with a climb back to the cafe. This off-road course is 2 miles long and not for the faint-hearted. You can also take longer routes from the Quarry into the Gloucestershire countryside.
Walks to Breakheart Quarry
In addition to the walks marked out at Breakheart Quarry, you can enjoy longer routes in the area. They map many of these out on Komoot. This also includes some longer MTB courses in the area.