The site is located on a strip of magnesian limestone, which was quarried from as early as the 17^th century until the 1920’s. Since then the site has naturally become partially flooded to form a large shallow lake with well vegetated margins and several small islands. The other major habitat is woodland, as well as smaller areas of dry grassland and marsh. Impressive limestone outcrops around the edge of the quarry are of significant geological interest.

The lake is rich in animal life and hosts various dragonflies and damselflies, frogs, toads and great-crested newts. The margins and nearby marshland support a rich flora, including water plantain, mare's tail, branched bur-reed, celery-leaved buttercup and pink water-speedwell. The grassland is generally species-poor, but one tiny fragment holds calcareous species such as yellow-wort, fairy flax and cowslip. The woody scrub areas are quite diverse, with plenty of hawthorn and smaller amounts of wych elm, ash, holly and blackthorn.

Lady Lee Quarry has been the subject of much survey work over the years and is known to support 158 species of plant, 55 fungi, 83 birds and over 300 invertebrates. Kingfishers are regularly seen on the reserve and little grebes are known to have bred. Other birds recorded include blackcap, goldcrest, great crested grebe, snipe, heron and water rail. Grass snakes are also present.

Management includes the removal of rubbish from the pond, mowing the grass in spring and late summer, and extraction of scrub and invading bulrush to maintain areas of open water. Boundaries have been improved by hedge laying and fencing.

The reserve (Grid ref. SK 563797) is reached via a narrow road and public bridleway from the end of Haggonfields Lane (near the primary school) in Rhodesia. The reserve is open to the public.

If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Office on 0115 958 8242.