Urswick Limestone

The Arnside/Silverdale area has three types of Limestone rock.

This impressive gate post is Urswick limestone which was formed about 340 million years ago in shallow tropical seas. It is the kind of limestone which forms the pavements which are a feature of our area.

The pavements were quarried and frequently used for tall gate posts. Fortunately the quarrying of limestone pavements became illegal in1981 and all the significant ones now have Protection Orders.