Exmoor pony on Burrington Oolite © Elizabeth Woodger
Burrington Oolite is a grey limestone containing ooids (small, spherical grains) and crinoid (sea lily) fragments. It is one of several Carboniferous limestones found in the Mendip Hills.
Calcareous grasslands flourish on many of the south-facing slopes in the region. Deer Leap, Draycott Sleights and Westbury Beacon all have beautiful, wildflower-rich grasslands growing over Burrington Oolite. Many of these special grasslands were created by woodland clearance, which began thousands of years ago. Today, grazing herds (e.g., sheep, goats, cattle and ponies) are used to keep the vegetation low and allow the wildflowers to thrive.
Image part of the ‘Menhir 2023’ collection by Elizabeth Woodger, through the Moments on Mendip project.