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BEER QUARRY CAVES |
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EAST DEVON |
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QUARRY LANE, BEER, DEVON. EX12 3AT |
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This web site has been highly recommended by SCHOOLZONE for |
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educational use on behalf of the |
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Department of Education and Skills |
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www.schoolzone.co.uk |
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Part of England's only |
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Natural World Heritage Site |
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Conducted tours by trained guides,give the visitor an hour-long tour of this vast man- made complex of underground caverns created by centuries of quarrying the famous Beer Stone. The underground quarry first worked by the Romans,supplied stone for 24 cathedrals including Exeter and St.Pauls, parts of Westminster Abbey,the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. Quarried by hand, the smallest blocks weighing 4 tons, the stone was carted on horse-drawn wagons and by barges from Beer beach to its destination, sometimes involving journeys of several hundreds of miles. |
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Beer stone was much prized by the masons, as freshly quarried it is ideal for fine detail carvings but hardens on exposure to the air, turning a beautiful creamy white colour. Although seen today by the thousands of people who visit these famous buildings, sadly few stop to wonder where the stone came from, or give even a passing thought to the generations of local families who worked here under appalling conditions by the light of tallow candles. |
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The entrance leads directly into the Roman section, which now houses a small museum containing pieces of Beer stone carved centuries ago by skilled masons, the tools used by the Quarrymen, copies of ancient documents and photographs. From this very chamber the Romans quarried the first blocks of Beer Stone to build their villas, leaving typical Roman arches and even their tool-marks are still visible on the walls. On through the Saxon part of the workings to where the Normans quarried stone for cathedrals, castles and Manor houses. |
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The sheer grandeur of the mighty halls, vaulted roofs and massive supporting pillars of natural stone are awe- inspiring and have often been likened to a vast underground cathedral. |
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A refuge and place of worship for Catholics during times of persecution, hiding place for contraband in the days when Beer was home to the infamous smuggler Jack Rattenbury, legend and human interest stories abound. The quarry was worked from Roman times until the beginning of the 20th. century and the entire complex is a vast memorial to those from the village some as young as eight years old who worked here over the centuries providing the stone we see today in some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in England. |
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See for yourself the methods used to quarry and deliver the huge blocks of stone, the working conditions, the hardships endured and the dangers faced daily by the work-force and you may never again see a famous building with the same eyes. |
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NORMAN PILLARS IN BEER QUARRY |
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BEER STONE IN EXETER CATHEDRAL |
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Exeter Cathedral, the jewel in the crown of our architectural heritage,and the underground workings which supplied stone used in its construction since the earlyearly12th.century |
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Axe Valley |
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Essential Devon |
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www.jurassiccoastline.com |
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Learn about stone |
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Seaton Museum |
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Christchurchcathedral.USA |
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jurassic coast world heritage site |
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PLEASE VISIT OUR ALTERNATIVE SITE. STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION |
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Superb example of the stone mason's skill, this medieval church window came from St. Andrews' church Colyton Devon. Originally carved from 58 pieces of Beer Stone in the |
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15th.century,still in perfect condition when removed during typical victorian restorationand left in the churchyard until its return to the quarry where it was rebuilt by the |
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master- mason of Exeter cathedral. |
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BEER QUARRY CAVES |
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EAST DEVON |
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ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT |
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INDUSTRIAL SITES IN THE |
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BRITISH ISLES |
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The only machinery ever used in the |
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quarry was hand-operated cranes |
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like the one above |
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Greater Horseshoe Bats |
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73.5 acres of underground space cut |
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out entirely by hand over a period of |
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almost 2000 years |
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"Cathedrals were built towards Heaven with stone quarried from this Hell" |
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Beer Stone In Buckfast Abbey |
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BEER STONECRAFT |
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Beer Stone was transported hundreds of miles on |
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horse-drawn wagons, and by barges around the coast |
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Beer Stone was used extensively in the building of |
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many Cathedrals. |
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Each of the above items have been hand-crafted |
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from genuine Beer Stone. Made by a craftsman |
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working in Beer Village, only a short distance from |
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the entrance to the underground quarry which has |
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been worked since Roman times. |
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No two items are identical, each forming its own |
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unique link with Britain's architectural heritage. |
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Beer Stone bowl made by John Scott. Presented by |
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the village of Beer to HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH 11 |
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on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. Her majesty is the second member of the Royal Family to own a piece of John's |
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work. HRH. Prince of Wales has a Beer Stone goblet at |
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St. James' Palace |
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Roman coin and pottery found in quarry |
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JURASSIC COAST NEWS FROM BEER QUARRY CAVES |
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www.exeterviews.co.uk |
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Alpine Grove touring park |
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Exeter Lodge |
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www.devonhotels.com |
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2,000 years of history brought vividly to life a visit to Beer Quarry Caves |
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is an exciting and fascinating experience not to be missed. |
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The workings are cool and even on a warm day a jumper is advisable. |
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Light refreshments and souvenirs. Ample free parking. Level walking below ground. |
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Whilst no problem for pushchairs,Regrettably, steep approach path to entrance impractical for wheelchairs. |
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2009 ADMISSION |
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Open daily. |
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Monday 6th April to end September 10.00AM. Last tour 5.00PM. |
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October daily 11.00 AM. Last tour 4.00PM |
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Tour times may vary |
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Out of season tours by prior arrangement |
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ADULTS £5.75: SENIOR CITIZENS and CHILDREN 5-16 years £4.00 |
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FAMILY(2 ADULTS+2 CHILDREN) £17.50 |
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TEL. 01297 680282. |
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mailto:john@beerquarrycaves.fsnet.co.uk |
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