Monument record 7567/3 - Limestone Quarry

{1} This was the biggest of the limestone quarries owned by the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy (archive in LMA). In 1860 a tramway was built from Lodge Quarry to take iron ore to the Nether Heyford furnaces (see E. Tonks book) with a branch into the quarry. There were lime kilns. Well known, visited by Beeby Thompson c. 1890. Could still be worked. Sent stone to repair Castle Ashby House. The steam crane has gone.

{3} Information from D Sutherland (see also handouts) is that there are two adjacent quarries; one to the N in Northampton sand and an older quarry to the S for Blisworth Limestone. The former extracted sandstone, the underlying and partially exposed ironstone is not known to have been extracted on any scale. The sandstone area was temporarily re-opened in 1982 for stone to restore Canons Ashby Church. An impressive high section survives along the N and W side of the quarry.
The Blisworth Limestone was extracted during the 19th century and transported by tramway to the furnaces at Heyford for use as flux. It was owned by the Tate family, farmers. References to the quarries occur in Thompson B (1891) The oolitic rocks at Stowe-Nine-Churches Journal of the Northants Natural History Society, 6, 295-310 and in Tonks, E (1989) Ironstone Quarries of the Midlands III, 76-89.
The limestone quarry working face survives several metres high in a long arc along the southern perimeter of the quarry.
Assessed on present evidence as being of at least local importance. Potential for re-opening of sandstone extraction?

<1> Smith J., 2001, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Recording Form, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN100800.

<2> Tonks E., 1989, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Northampton Area, p.76-89 (unchecked) (Book). SNN47272.

<3> Cadman G., 2003, Notes for SMR: Cosgrove & Stowe Quarries, (checked) (Note). SNN105400.

<4> Sutherland D.S., 2003, Geological notes re Cosgrove and Stowe Quarries, (checked) (Notes). SNN107326.

Record last edited

Apr 1 2011 1:23PM