The Stenders Quarry is one of the best kept secrets in the area. Until around 100years ago the Mitcheldean cement works quarried limestone from this spot. The quarry is now owned by the Gloucestershire wildlife trust and an SSSI. Please take great care not to damage anything. The quarry place makes a superb window from which to glimpse the events of 354 million years ago. Back then this region lay south of the equator (yes Mitcheldean!) and was covered by a shallow tropical sea. Deep sediments were laid down and over the millennia hardened to become carboniferous limes tones. It was these that were quarried from this site. The quarry now helps us to understand the complex process of landscape formation in the Forest of Dean.
Please respect the wildlife here and keep dogs on leads. Also there are some serious rock faces so if you bring children take great care with them.
The cache can be found at. N51 51.a72 W002 29.b38
Clue. The Formation of the plateau
1. Sandy rivers from the north. Between ef0-354 million years ago sands and gravels swept down from huge mountains to the north. a = f minus e
4. The folding landscape. From 305 to g9h million years years ago the huge down fold filled with sand and swampy forests. b = h plus g
You'll need a pencil and may be some tweezers.
This cache has been placed with the very kind permission of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who own and managed the site.