Magdalen Quarry Local Nature Reserve

Magdalen Quarry is a small area of greenery whose main feature is the limestone cliff face along its southern boundary revealing that Oxford was under water during the Jurassic period. In other words, it shows how, in the long distant past, Oxford was not merely under water but was built by tiny aquatic Photosynthesizers and the tiniest of sea creatures, zooplankton.I find these facts difficult to believe even when I’m standing at the cliff face staring at the evidence. Many gardeners and allotmenteers in Oxford curse the limestone rocks making it difficult to turn over the soil.Magdalen Quarry is designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR), “The 0.4ha site is accredited with SSSI status for the quarry face and LNR for the biodiversity.”There is a similarity between Rock Edge and Magdalen Quarry so it is not known why the former is deemed to be a Nature reserve whilst the latter is a Local Nature reserve, like Magdalen Wood West on Wood Farm.I knew Magdalen Quarry as a child because one of my mother’s (many) sisters lived in Gladstone Road and her home overlooked this site. However, I can’t remember any details other than it being some sort of open space. The cliff face would have meant nothing to me at that time.Ironically, then it was only recently that I discovered that the area had been designated as a Local Nature reserve - although I don’t know when this designation was granted.If you’re going to visit Rock Edge then why not walk a relatively short distance to see Magdalen Quarry as well?

It's a natural amphitheatre set in a fairy ring of Traveller's Joy (Clematis Vitalba). The rock face was a coral reef 150 million years ago and is, apparently, full of fossils.

Didn't even go in. No dogs allowed. Looked cool from the fence.

Pretty cool little place

Beautiful place, for all families, farmers market taking place every Saturday 1000:1400hrs in this location.

Good for picnic