Monument record MWX3018 - Limestone quarry, Seacombe Bottom, Worth Matravers

A large cliff-side quarry at Seacombe Bottom was worked from the 18th century until 1931. It is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs and lidar.

Limestone quarry at Corfe Castle Estate. <1> Large scale cliff-side quarry situated on both sides of Seacombe Bottom, south-east of Worth Matravers which formerly worked the Portland Freestone. The quarry, which hade the advantage of inland access, and worked from the 18th century until 1931. The earliest workings are represented by the open quarry, including a linear openwork which extends 300m inland, and the later workings by an extensive network of underground galleries. These are entered through unworked stone pillars, or stacks of stone blocks, to support the roofs. Most of the cliff-side buildings and concrete foundations of a compressor, and stone saws, survive. The galleries are now unstable. The foundations for steam cranes can be seen above the quarry. The site includes an open pit 200m to the West. The galleries are now home to the Greater Horseshoe bat. <2> Large scale cliff-side quarry at Seacombe Bottom worked from the 18th century until 1931. Visible as earthworks on aerial photographs and lidar <3-4> The site was digitally recorded during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

Record last edited

Dec 7 2022 3:47PM