Box Quarry, Corsham - Aug-Oct 2011

[Happyshopper]

I've now been inside 3 times across several months (hence the mildly differing processing), although each time we mostly stuck to the main tourist routes: Cathedral, Robots, Brewers Drift, Stone Stairs, Cranes, Truck. I keep meaning to explore further, seeing the further reaches of the north and south sections, but each time something happens and it never quite happens... Next time though, next time!

A bit of history for those that care:

The area has been quarried since the 18th century and the "golden era" for the complex under Corsham (not limited to Box) was between 1850 and 1900 when 3,000,000 cubic feet of stone was removed annually.

However stone has been removed from the area much earlier than the 18th century, dating back to medieval times when stone was extracted from pits in the hillside where the stone reached the surface. Later the area was quarried in vertical shafts, which provided one of the most stunning features of Box - The Cathedral - which was shaft quarried between 1830 and 1850.

Originally the quarry was probably several smaller quarries which over time were combined into one larger complex, and at one time there were a total of ten entrances to the complex, but after 1900 workable supplies of stone in the mine was exhausted and the complex started to close. In 1906 the largest East Gate was closed, with West Gate, North Gate and Bridge Gate closed around the same time.

The most modern section of the quarry - the north section - is known as the Clift Works and was used up until 1969. This area still retains a large amount of the original workings - intact cranes, a crab winch, rails, large collections of tools, and so on. This area even had stone removed by a small steam locomotive, and a water tank was built to service this locomotive.

On the far side of the hill, Spring Quarry was requisitioned during World War II, and Box Quarry was used as a "lung" for this newly established military complex. There are two tunnels connecting to this complex (I believe), which are the Wind Tunnel in the south west, and Brewers Drift in the mid west. Brewers drift was set up by the MOD specifically to supply air through from Box, and so is one of the most modern parts of the site. Both tunnels into this military complex have now been sealed and replaced with vertical air shafts.

The Cathedral




The entrance to Brewers Drift (The MOD Tunnel)

One of the stone arches heading north into the Clift Works

Crane No. 1





Crane No. 2




Crane No. 2 - The tool bench close up




The "Truck" Crab Winch




​

I'm already looking forward to another trip

Thanks for reading.

 

[TeeJF]

Wow! Nice.

 

[fluffy5518]

Crackin shots mate !!! Sill waiting for my guide to fix a trip up for this one !!!

 

[Happyshopper]

Crackin shots mate !!! Sill waiting for my guide to fix a trip up for this one !!!

I've navigated Box 2 out of 3 times, it's not as intimidating as it looks, just grab the maps from Quarrymans and a compass and you're all set! Do Swan first if you're unsure, let someone know what time you're expected out, and then do it

You won't need the south map unless you want to see the whole thing. The main "tourist" highlights are in central and north.

 

[Bunker Bill]

Great pic's.

I've been i Box a couple of times, via Jacks, got lost the second time, the place is massive.

 

[oldscrote]

I've navigated Box 2 out of 3 times, it's not as intimidating as it looks, just grab the maps from Quarrymans and a compass and you're all set! Do Swan first if you're unsure, let someone know what time you're expected out, and then do it

You won't need the south map unless you want to see the whole thing. The main "tourist" highlights are in central and north.

Nice pictures.Haven't been in there for years.
I'd say it's probably best to get all three maps, that way if you do wander off piste at least you won't get to lost plus it gives opportunities for a great through trip in through backdoor out through Jacks

 

[Foxylady]

Always love seeing reports from Box. Stunning pics, HS.

 

[Silent Hill]

Some great camera work there mate

 

[Happyshopper]

Thanks guys

 

[King Al]

Great pics HS! Gotta love Box

 

[Urban-Warrior]

I've navigated Box 2 out of 3 times, it's not as intimidating as it looks, just grab the maps from Quarrymans and a compass and you're all set! Do Swan first if you're unsure, let someone know what time you're expected out, and then do it

You won't need the south map unless you want to see the whole thing. The main "tourist" highlights are in central and north.

Great pics... I'm happy to help route find and navigate the lesser known routes I have a lot of trips to box under my belt... I'm an experienced caver aswell ;p

PM me if u want to arrange something.

 

[PROSNIPER]

wow wicked pics !

love to see more when you get down there

 

[Pincheck]

Very nice mate

 

[PaulPowers]

Fantastic pics, seeing The Cathedral always gives me goosebumps

 

[tommo]

Crackin shots mate !!! Sill waiting for my guide to fix a trip up for this one !!!

Well if u didn't work stupid shifts it would of happened along time ago

Great pics happyshopper, It's good to see our first trip didn't put u off even the sleeping underground is good fun !!

 

[daftoldgit]

looks ace- and we're planning on going there next weekend! how long does it take to get round it?

 

[Happyshopper]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone!

looks ace- and we're planning on going there next weekend! how long does it take to get round it?

It depends how many of you there are, but with 2-3 people we got around the central and north parts in 4-5 hours. That was without a very long break for food, but with a bit of time taken in places to take photos.

If you want me to explain the route we took in more detail drop me a pm, but it won't make too much sense unless you have a map to compare to.

 

[Madaxe]

Great pictures.
Always loved the look of this place.

 

[green giant]

This place looks amazing!

 

[crickleymal]

Nice photos. I'm happy to do a bit of guiding around Box if you like too. I have my own allen key and set of plans.