Right ive been after this beauty of a chalk mine for quite a while but with it being permission only it was a case of A catching the owners in and B catching them in the right mood. On previous visits ive not been successful but after visiting my old dear who lives nearby i thought id chance it again and have a knock. Jackpot, come right in they said which was great apart from not expecting it having no camera and the misses and kids in the car. Quick arrangements were made and an hour and a half later i was back armed with my gear and the Urbanbudgie.
Some history on the place which i heard again as we went around as the owner almost insists on a guided tour.( History stolen from KURG)
A lime burning business was carried on by the Foord family at Eastry from 1811 -1914 and a chalk mine was developed on several levels. The workings resemble a three-dimensional maze and demonstrate the effect of mining without any forward planning. Access was originally by shaft but an inclined tunnel was later driven to the surface to emerge by the limekiln. The mine was abandoned following pressure from villagers who were worried that their houses were being undermined. It was subsequently turned into a folly and village festivities were held underground. It was the practice during these events to nail patterns of branches to the wall and the old nails still remain to puzzle visitors.
During the Second World War the long gallery was used by the Home Guard as a rifle range and the workings were later opened to the public as a show cave for a short time. It was during this period that two elaborate paintings resembling stained glass windows were placed on the walls. The mine is now on private property and access is strictly controlled but the owners have preserved the workings.
Now on with some pics
looking down the entrance hatch
steep steps going down one way
looking back towards the light
bottom of the first flight of steps
the limekiln
one of the main tunnels
one of the paintings
and another
an archway half way along the main tunnel. u can see holes in the wall were the Homeguard werent that great a shoot.
big chunk of wall obviously shoot out
the gallery
some artwork from the gallery lol
some old grafitti
someones name burnt into the ceiling
the wall at the end of the longest tunnel peppered with bullet holes from the Homeguard
remaining 22 tip found on the floor
i made the budgie run along the tunnel lol
a rather crude carving of a face in the chalk.
Thanks for looking. Some of the pics arent great but i only had an hour or so in there as the owner wanted to get out to put his kids to bed lol.
Some history on the place which i heard again as we went around as the owner almost insists on a guided tour.( History stolen from KURG)
A lime burning business was carried on by the Foord family at Eastry from 1811 -1914 and a chalk mine was developed on several levels. The workings resemble a three-dimensional maze and demonstrate the effect of mining without any forward planning. Access was originally by shaft but an inclined tunnel was later driven to the surface to emerge by the limekiln. The mine was abandoned following pressure from villagers who were worried that their houses were being undermined. It was subsequently turned into a folly and village festivities were held underground. It was the practice during these events to nail patterns of branches to the wall and the old nails still remain to puzzle visitors.
During the Second World War the long gallery was used by the Home Guard as a rifle range and the workings were later opened to the public as a show cave for a short time. It was during this period that two elaborate paintings resembling stained glass windows were placed on the walls. The mine is now on private property and access is strictly controlled but the owners have preserved the workings.
Now on with some pics
looking down the entrance hatch
steep steps going down one way
looking back towards the light
bottom of the first flight of steps
the limekiln
one of the main tunnels
one of the paintings
and another
an archway half way along the main tunnel. u can see holes in the wall were the Homeguard werent that great a shoot.
big chunk of wall obviously shoot out
the gallery
some artwork from the gallery lol
some old grafitti
someones name burnt into the ceiling
the wall at the end of the longest tunnel peppered with bullet holes from the Homeguard
remaining 22 tip found on the floor
i made the budgie run along the tunnel lol
a rather crude carving of a face in the chalk.
Thanks for looking. Some of the pics arent great but i only had an hour or so in there as the owner wanted to get out to put his kids to bed lol.
