Report - Buckland Sand Mine, Surrey - Jan and Feb 2017

[wibbleman]

Ive done a few years poking about in surrey looking for stuff and there are places even wmcs don’t know about so have a look. This one I found after online research pointed to something near Buckland. The page has gone now but cut-paste is a wonderful thing ;-)

History

No idea but the place looks Victorian. Sand was mined in the area for gardeners and for making glass and was called silver sand as it is so pure. Normal sand cave like elsewhere as expected.

Visit

Entrance is a challenge to find but walking the area you learn what to look for. First time I went here was a complete failure but I had a feeling about it so went back and checked again. Let’s just say be grateful for small animals and helpful websites ;-). Squeeze in avoiding spiders and its just walk around once in. Lovely little place and a good find. Really didn’t look like anyone had been here for ages and I reckon the place is completely forgotten about. Photos taken over two visits.

Sorry for poor photos but hope u get the picture lol.

 

[R_yoda]

A very nice site this. Was holding back from posting any photos! But seeing as someone already has i may post some...

 

[wibbleman]

I am almost certain nobody has been here mate. PM me where yu think it is.

 

[R_yoda]

Buckland...

 

[R_yoda]

ive done ALOT of reigate areas sand mines, Some with permission some without. They are all very similar! Maybe i am wrong

 

[wibbleman]

I was here very recently - theres no sign of any one else exploring it. It's an open site you just have to look Buckland.

 

[wibbleman]

Here is the clue from an old newspaper "Sand Caves - At the very start there will be something in the way of a novelty in store for those young people who appreciate exploring underground caverns. Only a few yards up the lane on the left side, a small opening will be observed in the hedge bank. This, on examination, will be found to be the shaft of a sand burrow. By dropping down a few feet at two points quite close to the entrance, the interior ramifications, which are of a simple order, may be explored with ease, providing, of course, that the explorer possesses a plentiful supply of matches, or an electric torch, and does not object to finding himself suddenly standing in water in some parts..."

 

[subground.info]

Nice Report and Pictures. Really like it.

 

[Decwood123]

Amazing pictures !

 

[Lord Oort]

Nice one! definitely one for the list when I get back on my feet.

 

[R_yoda]

@Oort when your back on your feet mate. I have endless ammounts of underground stuff in the area make a weekend of it

 

[Decwood123]

@Oort when your back on your feet mate. I have endless ammounts of underground stuff in the area make a weekend of it

This the kind of stuff that needs doing in the day? Or is there any that would be okay to do in the evenings ?

 

[R_yoda]

Surrey is FULL of underground stuff @Decwood123 contact the WCMS. A man called peter burgess will be more than happy to sign you up to a go caving sceme, Access to over 20 sites is closely guarded by them. Apart from the sites they run.. There are plenty of others. Drop me a message mate and we can link up some time.

 

[Xan_Asmodi]

This is very nice, I love the way you can see the different layers of sediment as they've been laid down, it'd be interesting to see what the lay of the land would have been when this was the surface

 

[Lord Oort]

@Porker of the night

You're on mate! been too long since I spent a night underground! Be nice to get a load of stuff ticked off down that way