Hodge Close Quarry: Difference between revisions

 

'''Hodge Close Quarry''' is a flooded, green slate quarry, nestled amongst some beautiful countryside but with obvious signs of historic mining works having taken place throughout the Tilberthwaite Valley. Mining probably started around the 1780s, and with a few periods of inactivity, continued through until 1964.<ref>Cameron, p.139.</ref> It is located 4.6 kilometres (2.9 miles) north of [[Coniston]] and 12 kilometres (7.4 miles) west of [[Ambleside]]. It has become a popular, well-trodden area for hikers and, over the years, a key location for rock climbing, abseiling, and scuba diving. There are sheer drops to the north, west and east, and to the south there is a scree slope, none of which have barriers in place at the edges, but warning signs are placed near the roadside. However, caution is advised at all times. Hodge close is attached to neighbouring [[Parrock Quarry]], also open to the elements, but here nature has fully reclaimed the rocky features of once busy mining operations, giving the appearance of something out of Conan Doyle’s, {{w2|The Lost World (Doyle novel|The Lost World}}.

 

The mining operations have produced an enormous amount of spoil and, depending on opinion, created an eyesore in an otherwise picturesque valley with [[Holme Fell]] as its nearby peak. The cold, grey spoil is a brooding reminder of the strong history of mining in the area. The scale of the works here was big enough to produce a pile of waste material so large that it has plateaued, and now become part of the fell side in a somewhat bleak but beautiful way. Nature has found a way to claw back what was taken, with silver birch trees, amongst others, seemingly growing where slate was once deposited. 

 

 

 

==Operational use==

 

There are multiple "levels" shown too. Levels are tunnels that run at a slight incline, providing access to the internal workings of the quarries. One of the last areas to be worked here was accessed by the level at Bakestone Barrow, shown on the map at the southern end of the quarry. Those who worked at Hodge Close and the other Tilberthwaite quarries would walk or cycle to work, others were fortunate enough to live locally. The row of cottage at Holme Ground, centre bottom of the map, were built for quarrymen and some working at Hodge Close would have lodged here, a short walk to work every day. Unlike the those working at the Old Man of Coniston mines, who would have a strenuous climb up the fellside every morning before the heavy work had even started.

 

On a separate note for those who may not be aware, there is a level that can still be accessed, which will provide the adventurer entry inside the quarry. This was possibly one of the access levels where slate was removed using the water balanced lift. The opening of the tunnel is situated on the western side at the foot of the spoil, accessed from the northern end of the car park. The caveat is the tunnel is relatively low in height and contains water up to the knee. Protective headwear and a bright LED torch are essential as the tunnel is very dark, and the rocks are jagged. At the end of the tunnel there is a small opening and some scaffold ladders to descend to the lower levels and further exploration. 

 

 

 

 

==Nearby quarries==

Although shown as Hodge Close Quarries on the map, there are in fact several other satellite quarries, including the Calf How, Peat Field, and Klondyke quarries. From the southern end of Hodge Close, there is a clear and unobstructed view to the connecting [[Parrock Quarry]], now completely overrun with nature, with trees and huge rocks encrusted with moss in the most beautiful way. This quarry has an interesting history, having started out as an underground operation that eventually was open-topped, resulting in the open pit we see today. These are just the immediate quarries in the vicinity. The broader Tilberthwaite quarries also include Goats Crag Quarry, Penny Rigg Quarries, Close Hill Quarry, Mirk Hole Quarry, Sty Rigg and Broad Moss Quarries, Moss Rigg Quarry, Betsy Crag and Tunnel Hole Quarries, all with their own histories and unique stories to tell.

 

==Access and parking==