Great Asby Scar NNR contains some of the best examples of limestone pavement in Britain. From 1 March through to 31 July, keep your dog on a short leash. Main habitats: limestone pavement and grassland Features of interest The extensive limestone pavements of the Orton Fells present a wonderful and wild landscape that was once typical of upland Northern England. Limestone pavements are nationally rare and have been extensively damaged in the past by removal for garden rockery stone. Great Asby Scar contains some of the best remaining intact examples in Britain. The limestone pavement is home to rarities such as angular Solomon’s-seal, dark red helleborine, bloody crane’s-bill, rigid buckler fern and limestone fern. On top of the limestone pavement you can find other specialities including bird’s-foot sedge, autumn gentian and salad burnet. Dwarfed trees dot the limestone landscape, their growth stunted by the rock itself and the very dry conditions found here. For a detailed description of the reserve’s seasonal highlights, see Natural England’s pages on Great Asby Scar on the National Archives. Directions Great Asby Scar NNR is part of the Orton Fells in east Cumbria. The reserve is 4km south west of the village of Great Asby and 4km north east of Orton village. Public footpaths and bridleways provide access to the reserve and to the wider Orton fells area. The nearest train station is Kirkby Stephen, 10 km to the south east. For details of local bus services go to the Traveline website. By car, leave the M6 at Junction 38 and follow the B6260 to Orton and beyond. The NNR can be found to the east of this road before you have reached Great Asby village. Alternatively, leave the M6 at Junction 39 and follow the B6261 to Orton, then follow the B6260 to Great Asby and beyond. The nature reserve can be found to the east before you reach the village of Orton. The B6260 can also be accessed from the A66 from Penrith and the A685 from Kirkby Stephen. Limited parking can be found on road-side lay-bys on the B6260 between the villages of Orton and Great Asby. Parking is also available within the villages themselves. The reserve can be found at NY 656099. The nature reserve can be accessed on foot or by bike on footpaths and quiet bridleways from Orton and Great Asby. An extensive network of paths link the reserve to the surrounding Orton fells. A suggested walking route around the NNR can be viewed on the reserve map. Great Asby and Orton are both on Route 68 (Walney to Weir) of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. Volunteers and activities Natural England holds a number of events and activities at Great Asby Scar each year. Past events have focused on moths, butterflies, fungi, trees and birds of the nature reserve. For details of current events please visit our North West Events Page or see posters at the nature reserve. We have volunteer opportunities on NNRs throughout South Cumbria. Whether you have specialist skills you wish to use, or are looking for a chance to get some hands on experience, we’d love to hear from you. Please email volunteer.enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk for more details. Contact For more information about the site: Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 060 6000