Wingate Quarry

Wingate Quarry is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in the County Durham district of east County Durham, England. ^[1] Part of the site is also a Local Nature Reserve ^[2] It is a disused quarry located just south of the village of Wheatley Hill.

Frog Orchid, Coeloglossum viride

Wingate Quarry
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Location	MAGiC MaP
Nearest town	Ferryhill, County Durham Peterlee, County Durham
Coordinates	54°43′54″N 1°25′17″W
Area	23.35 ha (57.7 acres)
Established	1984
Governing body	Natural England
Website	Wingate Quarry

The quarry was worked for Magnesian Limestone until the 1930s, when it closed. Since then a large and varied grassland has developed on the site. Magnesian limestone grassland is nationally scarce, with this site accounting for close to 8 per cent of the national total. As well as species that are characteristic of this vegetation type, there are also two orchids, fragrant orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea, and frog orchid, Coeloglossum viride, both of which are uncommon in County Durham.^[1]