These two are something myself and Obscurity had discussed and researched a fair bit and then when we where both at a loose end Boxing day 2014 we decided to go seek both and check out our options of access after a few visits and a lot of leg work we came back scratching our heads,fast forward to earlier this year and i spotted a few random pics from @silentwalker from Godstone so after a chat and exchange of info about the underground locations in the area he kindly included us in his finds..Thanks for that mate and was good to catch up with you in Marden
Brief and general history of Godstone Hill Quarries ..
"The Godstone Hill Quarries are similar to the Chaldon Quarries except that they are more recent and date back to the late 17thC, most of the extant workings are from the 18thC. There are quite a number of separate quarries that have merged or divided over the years; today there are four major quarries there of which Godstone Main Series is the largest and best known.
The quarries were worked for firestone initially and later phases of working had plate-ways laid along the main haulage routes which still survive. Later the quarries were re-worked for hearthstone. After this they were used as mushroom farms in the early 20thC and then fell derelict between the wars. Some of the quarries were used for storage during WW2. Main Series has several miles of open passage and even today provides a fascinating study of a quarry that has both pre and post industrial revolution features"
Godstone first..
This one was visited with Spaceinvader,Urbanginger and Obscurity and as much as we had wanted in for a long time it just didn't get my juices flowing as much as Marden!
pics..
Now onto Marden where i may have nearly knocked myself out running through a doorway and not stooping low enough to avoid a lump on the head
Brief copied history from the WCMS website
"Marden Mine is the easternmost of the major quarries along Godstone Hill. This is very similar to Main Series with an almost identical development and usage. This quarry was also a secure store during WW2 and continued to be worked for hearthstone for a short period after WW2.
The area around Marden Mine is riddled with numerous smaller holes and collapses indicating the remains of more hearthstone mines - sadly this type of mining is incompatible with stable or long-lasting passages and most have now fallen in"
Visited with Obscurity, Starlight , Silentwalker and his mate porker of the night,nice to meet you guys
Pics..
Really good to get in to see both of these ,again thanks to Silentwalker for the much appreciated input
Brief and general history of Godstone Hill Quarries ..
"The Godstone Hill Quarries are similar to the Chaldon Quarries except that they are more recent and date back to the late 17thC, most of the extant workings are from the 18thC. There are quite a number of separate quarries that have merged or divided over the years; today there are four major quarries there of which Godstone Main Series is the largest and best known.
The quarries were worked for firestone initially and later phases of working had plate-ways laid along the main haulage routes which still survive. Later the quarries were re-worked for hearthstone. After this they were used as mushroom farms in the early 20thC and then fell derelict between the wars. Some of the quarries were used for storage during WW2. Main Series has several miles of open passage and even today provides a fascinating study of a quarry that has both pre and post industrial revolution features"
Godstone first..
This one was visited with Spaceinvader,Urbanginger and Obscurity and as much as we had wanted in for a long time it just didn't get my juices flowing as much as Marden!
pics..
Now onto Marden where i may have nearly knocked myself out running through a doorway and not stooping low enough to avoid a lump on the head
Brief copied history from the WCMS website
"Marden Mine is the easternmost of the major quarries along Godstone Hill. This is very similar to Main Series with an almost identical development and usage. This quarry was also a secure store during WW2 and continued to be worked for hearthstone for a short period after WW2.
The area around Marden Mine is riddled with numerous smaller holes and collapses indicating the remains of more hearthstone mines - sadly this type of mining is incompatible with stable or long-lasting passages and most have now fallen in"
Visited with Obscurity, Starlight , Silentwalker and his mate porker of the night,nice to meet you guys
Pics..
Really good to get in to see both of these ,again thanks to Silentwalker for the much appreciated input
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