S Engering, S and Barron, H.F. (2007) Doncaster Geodiversity Assessment Volumes 1&2. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/07/025N.
For planning purposes consult Doncaster City Council The report is also available as a PDF download from NERC NORA
Site name: Hexthorpe Flatts – The Dell
Site key: D51
Grid reference:
Site type: quarry, disused
Local authority: Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire
Site dimensions: 250 m x 150 m
Site owner: DMBC
Conservation status: Regionally Important Geological Site Date: 16/9/97
Field surveyor: Scott Engering Date: 13/2/07
Time unit: Permian Rock unit: Brotherton Formation, Zechstein Group
Rock type: Dolostone Details: Thin bedded flaggy cross laminated limestones with occasional thicker ooid-limestones
Time unit: Anglian, Middle Pleistocene Rock type: Diamicton, sandy
Rock unit: Till Details: Red sandy till with angular limestone fragments and subrounded pebbles
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey topographic material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: 100017897 [2007]
Several sections (maximum 6 m) through the Brotherton Formation (previously Upper Magnesian Limestone) showing typical exposures of very fine grained thinly bedded flaggy limestones (typically less than 100 mm) with fine cross laminations and ripples, indicating deposition in shallow, fast flowing water. Interspersed with occasional thicker beds (up to 200 m), comprising massive medium grained ooidal limestone with a porous cellular texture. There is a distinct contrast between the two lithologies, marked by a sharp boundaries, undulating bedding planes and cut and fill structures.
Above the limestone, although a contact is not seen, there are hummocks of ground where reddened sandy till can be occasionally be seen.
The site is well maintained and only requires regular trimming of Ivy etc from exposed rock faces. Several exposures of limestone visible to the north and east sides of The Dell. The western quarry is not landscaped but the quarry faces are generally clean and vegetation free.
Regular clearance of vegetation from the till required but care must be taken to minimise damage to this friable deposit.
Ratings: 1–2 very poor; 3–4 poor; 5–6 acceptable/useful; 7–8 quite good; 9–10 very good/excellent; N/A not applicable; D/K don't know
Aspect/Description/Rating
Road access & parking Layby at main entrance on Greenfield Lane has room for 5/6 cars. Limited on street parking. Rating: 7
Safety of access Excellent. A further point of access is available from a footpath along the River Don but this has not been investigated. Rating: 8
Safety of exposure Quarry faces very safe. Numerous water features must be taken into consideration if used by school groups. Rating: 9
Permission to visit Not applicable N/A
Current condition Very good. Only periodic removal of plant growth from rock faces required. Rating: 9
Current conflicting activities None envisaged
Restricting conditions None envisaged
Nature of exposure Low quarry faces with no loose rock or dangerous overhangs
Multiple exposures / prospect for trail
Notes Good field visit site with Warmsworth Park and Cedar Road Quarry
Aspect/Description/Rating
Historic, archaeological & literary associations Good example of landscaped public gardens (opened 1902) in redundant quarry space. ‘Dick Turpin’s cave’. Rating: 8
Aesthetic landscape Excellent. Adds another dimension to the wide range of recreational facilities within the park. Rating: 9
History of earth sciences Not applicable. Rating: 0
Economic geology Example of quarrying (probably for lime) recoreded in local book “From Quarry to Park”. Rating: 7
Notes
Surface processes Numerous rockery stones demonstrate surface weathering and solution features. Glacial deposition. Rating: 5
Geomorphology The quarry is adjacent to the River Don and the northern bank shows use of levees on flood plain. Rating: 4
Sedimentary Good range of bedding, ripples, cut and fill structures typical of shallow water environment. Accessible deposit of till. Rating: 7
Fossils Not applicable. Rating: 0
Igneous Not applicable. Rating: 0
Metamorphic Not applicable. Rating: 0
Tectonic: structural Not applicable. Rating: 0
Minerals Not applicable. Rating: 0
Stratigraphy Not applicable. Rating: 8
Notes Potentially excellent educational site for field trips and very near to local schools
A good introduction to magnesian limestone in situ and various man made features using. Rating: 7
stone. Landscape/rockery stone for ornamemtal garden features