Beer stone has been quarried underground by hand since Roman times and used in Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Hampton Court, Windsor castle, 24 Cathedrals, in Manor Houses and Churches throughout the country.
Generations of families even children as young as 8 years of age earned their livings deep below ground in appalling conditions by the light of tallow candles. See for yourself where the stone came from, how huge blocks were quarried by hand and transported hundreds of miles on horse drawn wagons and barges sailing fromBeer beach. Hear of the jealousy between quarrymen and stonemasons, see the site of the chapel where Catholics worshipped in secret, and learn why the quarry was used by local smugglers to hide their contraband.
Imagine what it was like to have no choice but to be a quarryman and you will never see a Cathedral with the same eyes. A moving and inspirational place for all ages.
2,000 years of history brought vividly to life.