Stanner Rocks National Nature Reserve, Powys

Stanner Rocks Nature Reserve covers a small section of a narrow, isolated, elongated and steep-sided hill of ancient igneous rock, along the eastern edge of Powys, bordering Herefordshire - the England-Wales border runs along the eastern foot of the hill, which is mostly wooded, with ash and sessile oak, but has rough grassland and exposed rocks on the ridgeline.

Along the southeast-facing slope and across the cliff face of an old quarry on the southern tip are created the perfect conditions for several plant species usually found much further south, due to a combination of thin acidic soils, the dark-coloured bedrock, the favourable orientation to receive maximum sunshine, especially in the mornings, and the exposure to drying winds, all of which create a Mediterranean-like microclimate. The rarest species on the hill, found nowhere else in the UK, is early star-of-bethlehem, also known as the Radnor lily owing to the proximity to the nearby town; other notable plants are sticky catchfly, perennial knawel, upright clover and spiked speedwell.

The reserve contains the quarry and the southeast slope; a fairly narrow strip of land a quarter of a mile in length, of which most is not accessible, partly due to the steep terrain and partly due to the requirement not to walk off-trail so as to protect the plants, but the quarry face is open for limited exploration, in general only with prior permission. Several tracks do cross other parts of the hill, one leading to a fine viewpoint just above the reserve, and this is recommended location for casual visitors. Views encompass many other hills and valleys, in all directions.

Access

The south end of the hill, site of the old quarry, is reached from the A44, parking on a wide concrete verge at the junction with the B4594, here running along the course of the former Leominster and Kington Railway, closed in 1951. 800 feet west of the junction is a gap in a line of trees where a short track leads to a house, and just beyond the trees is a fence with gate and nature reserve information board, at the foot of the quarry. The northern approach, 1.8 miles away, is along the B4362 at a junction with Watery Lane, right on the England-Wales border; opposite the junction, another track heads south across a field then along a ridge into Navages Wood, which covers the northern half of the hill. The main track ends at a turning circle within an area of conifers, while a path continues, gradually climbing through the trees and along the grassy ridgetop to the final viewpoint. Another track follows the east edge of the wood, from the turning circle to the quarry entrance.

The Reserve

The Radnor lily was only discovered at this site in the 1970s; it escaped detection before for several reasons - the plants are found only over a small area, mostly inaccessible ledges, and the growing season is short, with its small inconspicuous leaves forming in winter and flowers appearing only for a couple of weeks in February and March, not normally a time when people are out looking for plants. In addition, although there are several thousand plants here only a very small number produce flowers each year - usually fewer than 10, and even then only when conditions, of sun and moisture, are just right. Plants reproduce via bulbils so flowers are not essential for the plant's survival. All the leaves wither by spring after which there is no trace of the plants until the next winter. Viewing of the lilies require making an appointment with a ranger, from Natural Resources Wales, who take visitors to the plant location, about 150 feet up along the north rim of the quarry. At other times of year the quarry may be open without the need for prior arrangement though it is always best to check beforehand. All the other rare plants are concentrated in and around the quarry, some (upright clover and perennial knawel) on a little spur close to the entrance. All such plants were here before the quarry, which was in operation sporadically for several centuries but has been disused now for over 100 years.