What is the Gulley?
The Corby Old Quarry 'Gullet' or Gulley runs through the centre of Priors Hall Park. An important wildlife and area of biodiversity, the pathway comprises 2km of grassland which spans the length of the development, starting in the north and ultimately reaching the 8-acre lake in the Southern end of the development.
Awarded the status of 'County Wildlife Site' in recognition of its excellent biodiversity value and quantity of rare habitat types, our nature reserve is a very important part of Priors Hall Park.
What could I see?
The site is a receptor for great crested newts, a European protected species, which have been translocated to the area under a licence issued by Natural England. In addition to the green barriers that enclose the newt areas, deer fencing has also been installed to exclude fallow and muntjac deer from the County Wildlife Site, in order to allow for the scrub areas, which provide cover for newts and other species, to recover. It will take a few years for the optimum habitat to establish sufficiently, at which point the deer fencing will be removed.
With over 76 species of birds and over 17 species of butterfly, including the grizzled skipper, recorded at Priors Hall Park there's plenty to see all year-round.
During the winter months this area is used by wading birds, such as common and Jack snipe, as well as green sandpipers.
Finally, we have various flora which needs to be protected, including calcareous grassland, orchids and cowslip.
Our nature reserve is a place to appreciate the wildlife, right on our doorstep. We hope you love it as much as we do.
County Wildlife Site Code
The Gulley has been designated as a County Wildlife Site by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust. As such it must remain unlit in order to encourage bats to use the area as habitat corridor.
Please respect, protect and enjoy the countryside by:
- Being safe - follow the path and take note of any signs
- Protecting plants and animals and take your litter home
- Leaving gates closed at all times
- Keeping dogs on a lead
- Considering other people
In case of an emergency
Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words. Emergency services are using what3words to find and help people in need. Please take a minute to read our signs before you enter the Gulley in order to familiarise yourself with the three words that you may need in an emergency. These are different depending on where you are in the Gulley.