Diamonds in limestone at Hutton Roof Crags

Abstract

Hutton Roof, a small and peaceful village in Lancashire, hosts one of the most striking examples of a limestone pavement in Britain. Follow the pathway from beside the church, through the patch of woodland and out on to the unexpected barren wastes of the pavement. Useless agriculturally, since there is no soil on the precipitous exposed rock pavement, its real value is scenic, but as yet it is little visited. By far the most striking parts are those nearest the church, although the pavement extends over an area of 2.5 square kilometres, and there are other pavements nearby at Newbiggin Crags (SD 545795).