Orwell Clunch Pit

{{short description|Site of Special Scientific Interest in Orwell, Cambridgeshire}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image= The Orwell Clunch Pit - geograph.org.uk - 437401.jpg

|image_caption =

|name= Orwell Clunch Pit

|aos= Cambridgeshire

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall| TL 363 506 }}

|area= 1.8 hectares

|notifydate= 1985

|map=[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003869%27 Magic Map]

}}

Orwell Clunch Pit is a {{convert|1.8|hectare|acre|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the northern outskirts of Orwell in Cambridgeshire.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003869&SiteName=orwell&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |title=Designated Sites View: Orwell Clunch Pit | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 12 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003869%27 |title=Map of Orwell Clunch Pit|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 12 December 2016}} It is owned by Orwell Parish Council and managed by the Clunch Pit Management Trust.{{cite web|url=http://www.orwellpastandpresent.org.uk/page.aspx?id=113&path=0p2p62p|first=Clive|last=Pickton|year=2012|title=Orwell Clunch Pit|publisher=Orwell Past & Present|access-date = 12 December 2016}}

This former stone quarry has a rich chalk grassland flora, a habitat which has become scarce in eastern England. Herbs including kidney vetch, horseshoe vetch, spiny restharrow and wild thyme.{{cite web|url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1003869.pdf |title=Orwell Clunch Pit citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 12 December 2016}}

There is access from Quarry Lane.