Field Trip: Brown’s Folly Nature Reserve

Leader: Elizabeth Devon, Bath Geological Society

Entry Fee

Members: Free

Visitors: £3.00

Date and Time

10:00

Location

Brown's Folly Car Park, Bathford, Bradford-on-Avon BA1 8EA


Field Trip Description

Brown’s Folly Nature Reserve consists of 91 acres of land on the hillside overlooking the valley of the River Avon about half a mile south-east of the village of Bathford. It is owned by the Avon Wildlife Trust and has been designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) because of the Middle Jurassic rocks, plants and wildlife that can be found there. Extensive limestone extraction on the reserve, largely by mining, was carried out in the past, the stone being used for building and known as Farleigh Stone. This activity, long discontinued, has left the rock exposed at many sites enabling it to be examined. The study of the different strata of rock and the fossils they contain has made it possible to establish when they were formed and to build up a picture of what the area would have looked like at the time. The walk lasts about two hours and takes you back in time about 160 million years.

The morning is also our annual clear-up of the Geological sites on this SSSI reserve. If you know the site well and do not want to join the tour, then please come along with gardening tools and help to keep the sites open for others.

Meet at 10.00 a.m. at Brown’s Folly Car Park (G.R. ST 798663). Strong boots, waterproofs, hard hats are required.



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Important Notice: Bath Geological Society Insurance

Each person attending a field meeting does so on the understanding that he/she attends at his/her own risk. The Bath Geological Society has Public Liability Insurance Cover for field and indoor meetings, but Personal Accident Cover and Personal Liability Cover remain the responsibility and personal choice of the participant.

There may be an element of appropriate cover included in house insurance or in travel insurance: although Bath Geological Society activities are not particularly dangerous members are advised to check whether exclusions apply to activities in which they plan to participate in case they wish to arrange further cover. An annual travel insurance may be the best solution for any member who regularly attends field events: this again is a matter of choice.

Please note however that all members participating in overseas events will be required to have travel insurance for the duration of the event: this is so that participants are covered for Medical, Repatriation and Personal Liability expenses. The Personal Accident element remains the personal choice of the member and again members are advised to check exclusions so that they can make an informed decision about the cover they want.