Monument record 8422 - Irchester Quarries (Butlin Bevan)

{1} Owners from 1872 Butlin,Bevan & Co. Ltd., from 27th June 1889 Thomas Butlin & Co. from 1912 James Palin Ltd., from 8th June 1922 Irchester Ironstone Co. Ltd., and from 3rd October 1953 South Durham Stell & Iron Co.Ltd.,closure being on the 14th May 1969. The first area quarried around Little Irchester was called "Kingpit" Work commenced in the "Wembley" pit in 1924 and continued on to the early 1940 part of which being a Limestone Quarry. This quarry is situated just south of the Lt.Irchester to Rushden road. On the other side of the road in the Roman Town area there was a small quarry from 1928 to 1929. Further towards Rushden and again north of the same road and opposite the Irchester turn was another small quarry. The third quarry called "Lodge" lasted from 1938 to 1969. The final quarry and most southerly known as Wollaston lasted from 1953 to 1968. Part of the quarry tramways remain and have become part of Little Irchester country park and the original "Kingpit" can still be seen within the confines of the park.

{2} Irchester Ironstone quarries, worked up to WWII. The site covers approximately 200 acres. Remains of a variety of quarry features including tramways, calcine clamps and the impressive 'Wembley Pit' gullet. The park also houses the metre gauge railway of the Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Trust, with a selection of locos, wagons and other industrial artefacts. There is also some 20 inch gauge track and artefacts from the Ravensthorpe water treatment works

<1> Tonks E., 1990, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Wellingborough Area, p.29-68 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45742.

<2> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, p. 36 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

Record last edited

Sep 15 2014 2:07PM