Home - Beer Quarry Caves

BEER QUARRY CAVES

Guided Tours of 2,000 year old man-made caverns

Tel:01297 680 282

EX12 3 AS

Opening Times

Beer Quarry Caves were closed on 5th November 2020 by order from the Government on 31st October 2020 with regards to the latest Covid-19 restrictions.
As long as the Government's plans don't change we will be open again from Monday May 17th 2021.
For information on tours after restrictions are lifted please call us 01297 680 282.
We wish you all well through these difficult times.
Manager and Curator S. Rodgers.

N.B. In exceptional circumstances Tour times may vary. (This now HIDDEN for Desktop, Tablet and Mobile)

Tours are every hour on the half hour e.g. 10.30am, 11.30am - Last tour 3.30pm.
October Tours are:
1st - 23rd Oct: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm.
24th to 31st Oct as March to September with the last tour at 3.30pm.

2021 Prices

Adults £10.00
Child 5 to 16 years and over 65 years £8.00.
Family 2 adults + 2 Children £30.00.
Under 5’s FREE.

John Scott F.R.S.A.

At 1.50pm Monday 13th July the caves founder John died peacefully at home in Fore Street. He was so proud of being a genuine Beer Boy, born in the house called ‘Golspie’ in the Higher Meadows. As a boatbuilder for Harold Mears he had a hand in building most of the working boats currently on Beer beach. He saved the Quarry Caves from being dynamited and lost for ever, and spent half his life running the Caves on a shoestring for the benefit of the thousands of people who have visited them since the 1980s. RIP John – see his video of the caves at the bottom of this page.

The Tours

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL – Please Pre-book tours by ringing 01297 680 282. (Hopefully opening from Monday May 17th).
Our guides will take you on an hour long tour through the vast man-made complex of underground caverns with their mighty halls of vaulted roofs and pillars of Beer Stone which have been likened to a vast underground cathedral.
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.
The caves are cool so please bring warm clothing and it’s best to arrive at least 10 mins before the tours start.

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?
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.

Useful Quarry Facts

Onsite Car Parking is Free

The caves are cool please wear something warm

Please do NOT bring your own torch - the caves are well lit

Regrettably it is not suitable for wheelchairs

Only assistance dogs are permitted underground.

Light refreshments and souvenirs available.

Location

Next Event

What may be happening in 2021. (Hopefully opening from Monday May 17th)

There are many events in the planning stage for 2021, one exiting new development could be the introduction of Evening Tours with a Bar-B-Que on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Details to follow.

Reviews 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.

Really fascinating and entertaining.
A great insight into local and national history.

Hitchin, Herts – 28/10/2019.

Excellent Tour. A fascinating look into time gone by.
Well worth a visit.

Sidmouth – 28/09/2019.

Very haunting captivating stories that brought the past alive. Thank You.
(The ponchos were very much appreciated).

Glasgow – 02/08/2019.

Fantastic experience thanks to our guides passion and competence.
Highly recommended.

Borth, Wales – 10/07/2019.

Fantastic tour with wonderful local history.
Pitched to both adults and children.

Hampshire – 21/06/2019.

Time Capsule with incredible stories and History.
Great tribute to the past!

Essex – 08/05/2019.

Amazing tour.
History preserved underground.

Seaton – 18/04/2019.

A fantastic slice into history
Very interesting and also very moving.

London – 24/10/2018.

Three visits and just as fascinating as the first visit.
Learn something new every time so worth more visits. Thanks.

Sidmouth – 29/09/2018.

Wow! Nothing like this at home. The guide was brilliant and made it so real.
Thank You.

Aukland New Zealand – 15/08/2018.

Taster Video

One of the most important industrial sites in the British Isles.
Beer Quarry Caves are owned by Clinton Devon Estates and leased to the Beer Quarry Caves Ltd.