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

The caves are open every day at 10:00am until Wed 31st October 2019.
Today's Tours Start at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30.
The caves are cool – please wear something warm.

N.B. In exceptional circumstances Tour times may vary.

Normally Open daily at 10.00am from 6th April until the end of October.
Tours are every hour on the half hour e.g. 10.30am, 11.30am - Last tour 3.30pm except local Summer holidays (20/7/19 - 31/8/19) then the last tour is 4:30pm.
October Tours are:
1st - 18th and 28th - 31st: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm.
19th to 27th as March to September with the last tour at 3.30pm.

2019 Prices

Adults £9.00
Child 5 to 16 years and over 65 years £7.00.
Family 2 adults + 2 Children £28.80.
Under 5’s FREE.

The Tours

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 and no need to book unless you are a large party.

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

Tue Sept 10th – Farm Walk and Cave Tour 11am – 1.30pm. Join staff from Clinton Devon Estates and the East Devon AONB to enjoy a walk around surrounding farmland. You will learn how the area is looked after to create great places for bats, especially the greater horseshoe bat. After this there will be a guided underground cave tour. The quarry and caves have a fascinating history, and are also an important winter roost for greater horseshoes and other bats. No dogs please. Donations on the day to Beer Quarry Caves Charitable Trust. Click here for further info. (Opens in a new Tab). Also see Events for more details.
Contact Kate Ponting @ Clinton Estates to book your place: kate.ponting@clintondevon.com or telephone 01395 446918.

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.

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.

What an incredible place, unique with so much history.

Taunton – 13/07/2018.

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.