Rixton Clay Pits

Rixton Clay Pits (also known as Rixton Claypits) is a former clay extraction site in Rixton, near Hollins Green, Warrington, England. Formerly farmland, boulder clay extraction started in the 1920s for brick making in the adjacent brickworks, and ceased in 1965 – since then it has been allowed to return to nature. It is now an area of ponds, scrub, woodland and damp grassland.[4][5] It is owned and managed by Warrington Borough Council as a local amenity.[3]

Rixton Clay Pits
Rixton Clay Pits
Rixton Clay Pits is located in Cheshire
Rixton Clay Pits
Rixton Clay Pits within Cheshire
TypeLocal Nature Reserve, SSSI, SAC
LocationHollins Green, Warrington
OS gridSJ686906
Coordinates53.409°N 2.475°W / 53.409; -2.475
Area32.4 hectares (80 acres)[1]
Elevation15m[2]
Operated byWarrington Borough Council[3]
Openalways

Two large sections of Rixton Clay Pits, 15 hectares (37 acres) in total, are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a designated Special Area of Conservation, on account of its calcareous grassland communities and because it supports the largest breeding population of Great Crested Newts in Cheshire.[5][6] The whole was established as a local nature reserve in 1996, and has waymarked paths and a visitor centre.[1][3][4]

Fishing is permitted on the lake between the two sections of SSSI, and is controlled by the Warrington Anglers Association, the main stock being tench, bream and roach. Carp and pike are also present.[7]

References
  1. "Rixton Claypits Nature Reserve". Hollins Green Community. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  2. Rixton Clay Pits Location (Map). 1:25000. Explorer Series. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  3. "Rixton Claypits Local Nature Reserve". Warrington Borough Council. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  4. "History of Rixton Claypits". Warrington Borough Council. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  5. "Rixton Clay Pits". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  6. "SSSI units for Rixton Clay Pits". Natural England. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  7. "Rixton Clay Pits". Warrington Angling Association. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
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