Dudley's World Heritage Bid

Wren's Nest and Castle Hill : justification for World Heritage Status

The Wenlock Limestone of Dudley is a fossil lagerstatten, containing rare and important life assemblages, in the form of beds of articulated crinoids (sea lilies) superbly preserved under deposits of terrigenous mud and volcanic clay. Rare annelid (worm) and early plant remains have been found, containing soft tissue.

Other superlative features of the site include bioherms (fossil 'patch' reefs preserved 'in situ'), and expansive ripple beds, which provide evidence of littoral zone conditions.