About Warton Crag Local Nature Reserves
Warton Crag is a landmark site for the National Landscape, with the village of Warton nestling on its eastern margin. Only 1.5 miles from Carnforth Railway station, and with a good local bus service, the Crag is easily accessible by public transport. It is a mixture of limestone grassland with scrub and woodland. The site is nationally important for butterflies and moths and many interesting plants can be found here. Peregrine Falcons regularly nest in the Main Quarry.
Planning a Visit
Location: Crag Road, Warton
Grid Ref: SD 491 723
Postcode: LA5 9RY
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Wheelchair accessibility: The Main Quarry has a small meadow with a short accessible path, but much of the rest of the reserve is very steep and unsuitable for wheelchair users.
Terrain & Incline: Much of the site is very steep. The path from Warton to the Main Quarry car park is level and wide, however other paths can be narrow and challenging underfoot.
Usual Visit Length: 1/2 day
Benches: In the Main Quarry
Dogs: Yes, however they must be kept under close control. There are grazing cattle.
Bikes: The paths are unsuitable for bikes.
Picknicking: Picnics are welcome but no fires or BBQs. Please take rubbish home with you or use the bin in the car park.
Nearest Toilets: The nearest public toilets are in Silverdale (Emesgate Lane) and Carnforth.
Nearest Cafe: There are 3 pubs in Warton - the Old School Brewery, The George Washington and The Malt Shovel.
Public Transport
Trains: The nearest Station is Carnforth (1.9 miles, 40 mins) or Silverdale (2.4 miles, 1 hour)
Buses: The Number 51 bus service goes through Warton - the nearest stop is outside The George Washington.
Parking: There is a small car park in the Main Quarry.
Before you visit
Make sure you’re familiar with the updated Countryside Code, so that you can stay safe and help us look after this beautiful landscape.
Who owns Warton Crag?
The Main Quarry, including the car park, is owned by Lancashire County Council, and the adjacent path towards Warton is within a nature reserve owned by Lancaster City Council. Both the Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council reserves are managed by the National Landscape team.
The RSPB and Lancashire Wildlife Trust also own sections of Warton Crag which the general public can visit.
Our Policy on Floral and Other Tributes
Places within Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape hold a special meaning for many, and people sometimes wish to commemorate loved ones in some way. We are glad that the National Landscape is a place of cherished memories, but we ask that people do not leave floral and other tributes in our Local Nature Reserves. These items can sometimes become litter, potentially harming the wildlife and landscape which makes this space so special. Any items of this nature will be removed at our discretion.
Examples of tributes include: bunches of flowers, wreaths, cards, decorations, pot plants, plaques, other floral tributes or planting, photographs, stones, padlocks or any other similar items.
As an alternative, we have a dedicated scheme, Waymarking the Landscape, which encourages donations towards installing solid oak directional waymarkers, and includes a quality engraved metal plaque.