Caroline Slate Quarry
Caroline Quarry is a disused slate quarry between Tintagel and Trebarwith on the north coast of Cornwall, South West England. The quarry was worked until the early part of the twentieth century.
| Coordinates | 50.652°N 4.757°W |
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Location
The quarry cuts a deep notch into the cliff face immediately due south of Bagalow Quarry and lies at the northern end of Hole Beach. This is the easternmost of the quarries that lie between Tintagel Castle and Trebarwith Strand. The quarry is adjacent to Lanterdan Quarry making it difficult to discern where one ends and the other begins. The quarry covers a 40m stretch of cliff and the rock face rises almost vertically for 75m. Unlike many of the other quarries on this stretch of coastline, a path zigzags its way down to the beach making it accessible from sea level.
Stone
The quarry provided a source of Upper Devonian slate and Lower Carboniferous slates of a greyish green colour used predominantly for roofing.
History
According to the 1883 OS map, Caroline Quarry was already in use and the 1907 map suggests that it was still functioning into the earlier twentieth century. However, the scale of the works suggest a commencement date considerably earlier than the 1880s.[1]
Industrial Remains
A striking feature of Caroline quarry is the 4m high stone "strong point" perched precariously on the near vertical cliff wall 75m above Hole Beach. Another cliff edge structure overlooking the beach was possibly a tool store. There is also a box cave around 15m above sea level and the remains of quarry workings in a natural sea cave at the rear of Hole Beach.
References
- «Coastal Slate Quarries – Tintagel to Trebarwith” (1990) Adam Sharpe, CAU archaeological survey for the National Trust. ISBN 1 871162 95 5