Combe Down Stone mines - the Village that built a City

Bath, set in green countryside, owes much of its character and architectural harmony to the stone it is made of, Bath Stone. This material has been exploited since Roman times, but came into its peak in the 18thC. The nearby village of Combe Down was a great source of such stone, which was originally laid down in the Jurassic period in warm tropical shallow seas. The cities buildings are made of freestone hewn by hand using axes, saws (frigbobs and razzers), picks and candlelight.

Many great buildings in the UK also owe their character to Bath Stone: Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, Brighton Royal Pavilion, Abbeys, Cathedrals etc. It was transported worldwide and has been designated a World Heritage Stone in its own right. So we have a UNESCO World Heritage city built of a World Heritage Stone. The Bath Stone mines museum helps to tell the story of the mines / quarries of Combe Down, its geology, archaeology, social history, ecology (with important bat populations) and engineering. The latter because mining left behind a heritage of ground that was a veritable swiss cheese., with many homes built in the 19thC and 20thC undermined. This led to the establishment of the Combe Down Stone Mines stabilisation project.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 14 September:

1400-1700

Sunday 15 September:

1400-1700

Location & directions

54a Combe Road, Combe Down, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5HZ

Directions:

There is very limited street parking for the museum in the village. There is a disabled parking space outside the museum. The museum can be easily reached via the Number 2 bus from the city.

Contact on day:

Gavin Gillmore

Telephone number:

+441225837439

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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