Sea monsters and chimneys...

Take in the awesome view of Bradley Fen quarry and the Shanks Millennium Bridge and find out more about some of the creatures that have been found in this area.

After approx. 1.5 miles the cycle path takes you alongside Bradley Fen Quarry where you will be able to see the drag line excavators digging clay for brick making. You arrive at a staggered crossroads, turn left down the short slope to a small bridge over Morton's Leam. Follow the path to the award winning Shanks Millennium Bridge over the River Nene.

This beautiful bridge commissioned by Peterborough Environment City Trust as part of the Green Wheel cycle route is constructed of Corton Steel. A special material made from a high percentage of recycled steel that is designed to rust on the very surface but then no more, therefore it does not require painting.

Bradley Fen Quarry

The view across the Bradley Fen quarry shows two quite distinct episodes in the geological history of the area - the darker clay capped by the lighter gravels and sands.

The Oxford Clays that underlay this area contain the remains of sea creatures that swam in a warm sub tropical ocean 150 million years ago. Movement of the earth's crust has slowly transported the floor of this ocean from its original position much nearer the equator to its current day latitude and elevation.

Some amazing sea creatures have been found here, including huge crocodiles (steneosaurus) and monstrous reptiles (such as pachycostasaurus), gigantic fish (Leedsicthyus), and strange shellfish (ammonites and belemnites).

Horseriders on the Millennium Bridge

More recently, towards the end of the last glaciation huge quantities of gravel and sand were deposited on top of the Jurassic clays by the enormous flood of water from the melting ice caps. Between 15 to 10 thousand years ago animals roamed the land near to the receding ice-sheets. Woolly Mammoth, Woolly Rhino, Hippopotamus, Horse, Reindeer, Bison, Wild Oxen and Bear have all left their bones to be found in the gravel beds.

Quarrying of Oxford Clay for brick making on an industrial scale began at the end of the 19th century. Once many dozens of brick kiln chimneys could be seen around Peterborough, now only the Whittlesey works remain. A huge amount of sand and gravel is now quarried here for the construction industry.