Chalk Places to Visit in Suffolk

 

Brief notes about publicly-accessible Chalk-related sites and features of interest, including museums.
Information correct at time of publication, but you are are advised to check public accessibility and safety details before visiting these places.

 

 

Church Pit, Santon Downham

Exposure of Chalk of the Turonian Stage (H.plana Zone), not well exposed elsewhere; may include nodular 'Chalk Rock' horizon with shelly beds of fossil oysters; site managed by the Forestry Commission.

OS Grid reference: TL8170874

Church Pit, Church Lane, Claydon

Exposure of Chalk of the Campanian Stage (B.quadrata Zone resting on O.pilula Zone); housing estate occupies part of quarry.

OS Grid reference: TM133498
 

Little Blakenham Chalk Pits

Major exposures of Chalk of the Campanian Stage (G.quadrata Zone), not accessible but visible from footpath; a SSSI designated for chalk grassland flora and bat fauna living in old chalk extraction tunnels.

OS Grid reference: TM108490

 

Little Blakenham Woodland Garden

Landscape garden developed on sandy Pliocene Crag soil with a spiral turf art feature in Chalk bedrock.

OS Grid reference: TM111492


Newmarket Heath

Famous famous horse racing turf and racetrack developed on Middle Chalk plateau; site displays periglacial patterned ground; chalk grassland SSSI with additional interest from acid-loving plant communities.

OS Grid reference: circa TL615628
 

Railway Pit, Lucas Road, Sudbury,

Former chalk pit with exposures of Santonian Chalk; sections not accessible but visible from Lucas Road; site includes Palaeocene Thanet Sands and Pliocene Red Crag; a denotified geological SSSI; housing estate occupies part of quarry. TL879412


River Kennett, Moulton

Seasonal chalk stream; 15th century Packhorse Bridge built of flints with three arches over small stream.

OS Grid reference: TL698645
 


Museums in the project area with geological displays and specimens including Chalk fossils: