First a bit of info....
The quarry was opened in 1789 by the Gell family, in 1791/2 they had Via Gellia Road built to connect the quarry to the wharf at Cromford. Via Gellia, mean Gells Road. By 1850 the quarry was producing 100,00 tons of fluxing stone plus some decorative stone for Chatsworth House and Westminister Hall. In 1920 during the depression, the quarry was one of a few still working as it became a major contractor to supply the Imperial War Grave Commission with head stones for the service men and women of the First World War. In February of 1928, the Prince of Wales (who later became King George), visited the mason's shed on site that were carving the head stones.
It's called Hopton Wood No.2 because before this quarry was opened, the family operated a quarry called Hopton Wood on the other side of the road.
Only thing I can't seem to find is when it closed, but it's now a nature reserve. Adjacent to the quarry are the tunnels for Middleton Mine. I mooched about for a good few hours and got a few... pics
I took this picture to try and get the contrast of the orangey/red rock, it's at the far end of the quarry.
Along the floor of the quarry
Literally thousands of snail shells on the floor of the quarry, some quite colourful
Looked like another bit of rock at a quick glance, then noticed it had a hole through it
Higher up the quarry I spotted these
They're joined, just 2 rectangular 'rooms' that aren't very big. A favourite for chavs/druggies, fireworks had been let off in there but also a couple of cans of deodorant that looked like they had been used to sniff the solvents or something else to set fire to, could still smell it. Quite nice actually
These were just round the corner, seemed to be in the wrong area to be associated with Middleton Mine. There had been some rock fall on the quarry area below, so couldn't tell if there was another entrance in the rock face.
Quite a few bits of old quarry machinery dotted about seemed to be mainly the cabs though. Also a van and two cars being consumed by the quarry. Looked to be parts of other cars too. No telling if there's anymore complete cars burried.
Looking towards the far end of the quarry, can see the different levels of the quarry too
The quarry was opened in 1789 by the Gell family, in 1791/2 they had Via Gellia Road built to connect the quarry to the wharf at Cromford. Via Gellia, mean Gells Road. By 1850 the quarry was producing 100,00 tons of fluxing stone plus some decorative stone for Chatsworth House and Westminister Hall. In 1920 during the depression, the quarry was one of a few still working as it became a major contractor to supply the Imperial War Grave Commission with head stones for the service men and women of the First World War. In February of 1928, the Prince of Wales (who later became King George), visited the mason's shed on site that were carving the head stones.
It's called Hopton Wood No.2 because before this quarry was opened, the family operated a quarry called Hopton Wood on the other side of the road.
Only thing I can't seem to find is when it closed, but it's now a nature reserve. Adjacent to the quarry are the tunnels for Middleton Mine. I mooched about for a good few hours and got a few... pics
I took this picture to try and get the contrast of the orangey/red rock, it's at the far end of the quarry.
Along the floor of the quarry
Literally thousands of snail shells on the floor of the quarry, some quite colourful
Looked like another bit of rock at a quick glance, then noticed it had a hole through it
Higher up the quarry I spotted these
They're joined, just 2 rectangular 'rooms' that aren't very big. A favourite for chavs/druggies, fireworks had been let off in there but also a couple of cans of deodorant that looked like they had been used to sniff the solvents or something else to set fire to, could still smell it. Quite nice actually
These were just round the corner, seemed to be in the wrong area to be associated with Middleton Mine. There had been some rock fall on the quarry area below, so couldn't tell if there was another entrance in the rock face.
Quite a few bits of old quarry machinery dotted about seemed to be mainly the cabs though. Also a van and two cars being consumed by the quarry. Looked to be parts of other cars too. No telling if there's anymore complete cars burried.
Looking towards the far end of the quarry, can see the different levels of the quarry too
