It is designated a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature and is an important site due to its geological formations, but also contains great botanical interest.

A number of rare and interesting plants can be seen here, such as the Bee Orchid, Carline Thistle, Milkwort, Cowslip, Wild Strawberry, Lady’s Bedstraw and Harebell.

The reserve also supports abundant bird life, including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Whitethroat, Linnet and Goldfinch, while butterflies such as Painted Lady and Common Blue can be seen in summer.

Fossilised rocks are abundant in several areas of the quarry, including fossilised tubes that look like stacked polo mints. These are parts of Crinoids (Sea Lillies) and are believed to be 340 million years old. Any lying loose on the ground may be collected but hammering rock faces or removing large pieces of rock is strictly forbidden.