Beer Quarry Caves, Quarry Lane, Beer - East Devon

2012 Times and prices
Open daily from April 2nd to the end of September 10.00AM. Last tour 5.00PM.
October daily 11.00 AM. Last tour 4.00PM.
Admission - Adult £6.80.
Child 5 to 16 years and Senior Citizen £5.00. Family 2 adults + 2 Children £21.00.
Under 5's FREE.
Sorry - Cash or Cheque's only - no cards.
N.B. Tour times may vary.
Out of season tours by prior arrangement.

Useful Facts
Onsite Car Parking is Free
The caves are cool even on a warm day and a warm top with sensible footware is advisable
There is no crawling required, height varies from 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 metres).
Regrettably the path to the cave entrance is impractical for wheelchairs
Unfortunately dogs are NOT permitted underground.
Light refreshment and souvenirs available
A flash is required for underground photography.

Location - Between Beer and Branscombe
Click map below for an interactive version

Many of us marvel at the intricacy of stonemasons' work on numerous stately buildings, cathedrals and churches. But do we ever stop to consider where the stone came from and the history of the excavation behind it?

News
The Great British Countryside, (iPlayer link) was on BBC1 on Thurs 16th Feb and featured the caves.

Conducted Underground Tours
Our guides will take you on an hour long tour through the awe-inspiring caves with their mighty halls of vaulted roofs and pillars of Beer Stone which have been likened to a vast underground cathedral.

This vast man-made complex of underground caverns was 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.Paul's, parts of Westminster Abbey,the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. Quarried by hand, a small block 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. The quarry closed around 1920 as a new quarry opposite was opened. This closed in 2003, so there is no quarrying activity now.

Your Journey through Time
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. A late medieval Beer stone window forms the centrepiece of the museum. 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. You will then get to the modern era, where saws replaced pickaxe's as the main cutting out tool.

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. As you pass through you will be shown the charcoal signatures of the quarrymen who toiled here years ago and places where bats - mostly greater or lesser horseshoe hibernate during the winter months.

« Previous Comments More Comments » Comments from the Visitors Book

This is an inspirational and moving place, inspiring awe at the extraordinary skill and industry of man throughout 2,000 years and moving because of its testament to the injustices of a system that enabled such labour to be valued so lightly - a must see destination and many congratulations on the best guided tour I have ever had.
Tim Smit Director, Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall.

2,000 years of history, this place should never be lost. Makes us look at historic buildings in a very different light after seeing where the stone was quarried and the harsh conditions. Thank you for a fascinating afternoon.

Bodmin Cornwall - 24/10/2011.

Once again (our schools 125th. visit!) The guide did an amazing job, even the younger pupils were totally fascinated and have not stopped talking about it.

Southampton - 26/09/11.

We learned so much from a great guide. Thank you.

Zenst Belgium - 19/09/2011.

So much better than my school history lessons (by a 9 year old).

Newport Wales - 02/08/2011.

I have visited underground places all over the world but never one so fascinating or with such amazing human stories.

Cambridge - 30/07/2011.

What an incredible place! Brilliant tour with a very good guide who is obviously so interested himself.

Cannock Staffs - 21/06/2011.

Centuries of history was brought alive for us today by a very knowledgeable guide. Will definitely come again.

Gloucester - 17/05/2011.

Fantastic tour and great guide. Even our six year old was fascinated.

Ontario Canada - 06/04/2011.

History
The caves have a long and interesting history which not only includes quarrying, but also as a refuge and place of worship for Catholics during times of persecution, a 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 in flickering candlelight, providing the stone we see today in some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in England.

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 using only the light from a flickering tallow candle and you may never again see a famous building with the same eyes. Over 20,000 visitors each year learn the secrets of the caves. Click the small picture of a cave signature to expand it.

One of the most important industrial sites in the British Isles.

Museum and Roman Area

Have a good look around, the Roman section dates from AD47 to AD350.

Saxon Area

From approx. AD530 to the Norman Invasion of 1066. More of a square design than the Roman section.

Norman Area near a Wagon Road

The Norman section is the largest as all the great Cathedrals were built during that era.

Modern Cutting Out Area

At this point the quarrymen change from pick axe to saw.

Near Ancient Chapel

Used during the Reformation after Henry V111 started persecution of Catholics.

Map of the Tour Route

The red dots are where you will go. There is still much unexplored as it's hidden behind great piles of spoil.

Anthony Northcott Signature

Born 18/8/1735 – Died 12/4/1801. He was a Stonemason aged 22 in Jan 1758 when he wrote this.
Branscombe Parish register has an entry of his marriage on 11th July 1756.

Out of the Darkness	By John Scott and Gladys Gray Purchase at the caves for £2.50
Devon's Non-Metal Mines	By Richard A Edwards RRP £16.99 Halsgrove Press ISBN 978-0-85704-118-0