History
Originally an average size Bath stone quarry which links Monks Park Quarry, there is a geological fault running through the quarry meaning the limestone varies in depth by about 20 feet, as the quarry men have followed the stone it as resulted in one half of the quarry being 20 foot lower the other. The is an internal slopeshaft taking you from the top to lower level.
Ridge was quarried up until 1914 when at the start of the First World War, Ridge was requisitioned by the War Department. They cleared out the waste stone and stacked it up in older parts of the workings and strengthened the roof so that ammunition could be stored in the mine.
During the build up to WW2 the War Department decided that there was a need for a large underground ammunitions store. It was decided that the required space could be obtained by converting four quarries, these four formed what was collectively known as the Central Ammunitions Depot Corsham. Ridge Quarry was acquired and put to use as one of these sub-depots. The three other sub-depots were Tunnel Quarry at Corsham, Eastlays Quarry at Gastard and Monkton Farleigh Mine.
Ridge Quarry was never converted to the same extent as the rest of the Central Ammunitions Depot Corsham so it became surplus soon after the war had finished. There is however evidence of Monkton-style corseting and strengthening work in the quarry but at an incomplete stage as the budget was never approved.
The Explore
Wiltshire locations will never be able to all be completed over a weekend but we had a fair crack at a few places on our trip with Ridge Quarry being one of them. I am so glad we managed to get this place covered as it hasn't been done in a while. Great layout with many great photo opportunities to be had. Visited with @Porker of the night
The was one funny moment where we became completely disorientated, we thought we was heading to one of the exits when in fact we completed a full circle and ended up back in the same spot we was standing 5 minuted previous, anyone who knows mines will be able to relate to the feeling that runs through your head when this happens, a little poo fell out. We quickly managed to gather our bearings and get back on track.
On to the pictures
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Cheers for having a ganders
Originally an average size Bath stone quarry which links Monks Park Quarry, there is a geological fault running through the quarry meaning the limestone varies in depth by about 20 feet, as the quarry men have followed the stone it as resulted in one half of the quarry being 20 foot lower the other. The is an internal slopeshaft taking you from the top to lower level.
Ridge was quarried up until 1914 when at the start of the First World War, Ridge was requisitioned by the War Department. They cleared out the waste stone and stacked it up in older parts of the workings and strengthened the roof so that ammunition could be stored in the mine.
During the build up to WW2 the War Department decided that there was a need for a large underground ammunitions store. It was decided that the required space could be obtained by converting four quarries, these four formed what was collectively known as the Central Ammunitions Depot Corsham. Ridge Quarry was acquired and put to use as one of these sub-depots. The three other sub-depots were Tunnel Quarry at Corsham, Eastlays Quarry at Gastard and Monkton Farleigh Mine.
Ridge Quarry was never converted to the same extent as the rest of the Central Ammunitions Depot Corsham so it became surplus soon after the war had finished. There is however evidence of Monkton-style corseting and strengthening work in the quarry but at an incomplete stage as the budget was never approved.
The Explore
Wiltshire locations will never be able to all be completed over a weekend but we had a fair crack at a few places on our trip with Ridge Quarry being one of them. I am so glad we managed to get this place covered as it hasn't been done in a while. Great layout with many great photo opportunities to be had. Visited with @Porker of the night
The was one funny moment where we became completely disorientated, we thought we was heading to one of the exits when in fact we completed a full circle and ended up back in the same spot we was standing 5 minuted previous, anyone who knows mines will be able to relate to the feeling that runs through your head when this happens, a little poo fell out. We quickly managed to gather our bearings and get back on track.
On to the pictures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Cheers for having a ganders
