Monument record MWX3019 - Hedbury limestone quarry, Langton Matravers

Large scale cliff-side limestone quarry situated to the south-east of Acton village, which formerly worked the Portland Freestone, and probably operated from the 18th-20th centuries. Part of Corfe Castle Estate. The earliest workings are represented by open quarries, the later workings by underground galleries. Most of the cliff-side buildings and structures have been cleared, but are marked by footings. A number of square-cut holes mark the position of timber cranes, while rut-ways can be seen on the sea ledge below. The quarry is marked on the OS 1st edition map and is visible as earthworks on lidar images from 2008 and 2009.

Large scale cliff-side quarry situated to the south-east of Acton village, which formerly worked the Portland Freestone, and probably operated from the 18th-20th centuries. The earliest workings are represented by open quarries, the later workings by underground galleries. Most of the cliff-side buildings and structures have been cleared, but are marked by footings. A number of square-cut holes mark the position of timber cranes, while rut-ways can be seen on the sea ledge below.

Limestone quarry at Corfe Castle Estate. <1>
Post medieval coastal limestone quarry, Corfe Castle Estate, Langton Matravers. The quarry is marked on the OS 1st edition map and is visible as earthworks on lidar <3-4>. The features were digitally plotted during the South West Coastale Zone Survey (Dorset).

English Heritage, 1997, Monuments Protection Programme Step 3 Report: The Quarrying Industries, Dorset 18 (Monograph). SDO20419.

‘Large-scale cliff-side quarry situated to the south east of Acton village which formerly worked the Portland Freestone (Purbeck-Portland). The period of operation is not known but it is likely to have been within the range of neighbouring cliff quarries (18th to 20th century). The earliest workigns are represented by the open quarry and the later workings by an extensive complex of underground galleries. The latter are enter (sic) through a number of entries many of which have narrow pillars or ‘legs’ of unworked stone or stacked stone blocks to support the roofs. Most of the cliff-side buildings and structures have been cleared, though the footings of buildings can be discerned and a number of revetments for spoil heaps survive. A number of square cut holes mark the position of timber cranes for lowering stone down the cliff whilst rut-ways can be seen on the sea ledge below an old cannon has been stood near the cliff edge.’

<1> Papworth, M, 1994, Eastington, Acton, Westwood, Wilkswood, New Barn, Corfe Castle Estate, Wessex Region, 112, 441 (Unpublished document). SWX1388.

<2> Lancashire Archaeological Unit, 2000, Monument Protection Programme Quarrying Industry Step 3.2 Additional Site Assessments, Dorset 18 (Monograph). SDO18060.

<3> Channel Coastal Observatory, 23-MAR-2008, Lidar (Photograph). SDO12878.

<4> Channel Coastal Observatory, 25-FEB-2009, Lidar (Aerial Photograph). SDO12879.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1466650 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 19 2025 12:00PM