Hi,
I’m very new here and have an interest in the history of the Godstone Quarries.

While I’ve read some of the excellent WCMS archive material and found a photographed diagram of the quarries from an online search, I’m left wondering where this below ground “rabbit warren” is actually located in relation to the above-ground features with which I’m familiar.

For example, where are the Main and Roman Road Series situated in relation to: the Godstone Hill part of the existing A22 road; the Quarry Road turning to the east of it, and; the “Freer Farm” and Tupwood Lane turnings that lead off from its west side? I suppose it would all fall into place for me if I knew where the entrances shown on the diagram were physically located, ie Roman Road and Road-side, and the buried/blocked ones, Weighbridge and Sawmills.

I also found pictures of the 1991 rescue exercise which used the air shaft that appears as a manhole on the A22 northbound carriageway as the means of recovery. Above ground, this seems to appear just south of the pedestrian over-bridge that leads into Tupwood Lane, but what I can’t find from looking at the diagram is where it is positioned within quarry complex itself.

Any pearls of wisdom would be appreciated!

Have you tried contacting us directly? (WCMS, that is). Anyone with an interest in these workings is welcome to get in touch. I hope you can understand why we might not want to do this in public, on the internet, to someone with a pseudonym - we have interesting projects ongoing in these workings and we are always keen to get new people involved, so please make yourself known. Unfortunately, the closed bat season is almost upon us so Godstone is "off limits" for a few weeks.

Hi Peter,
How long is the closed season? I will be going on a training course in Crawley :blink:in either January or March and I'd like tto have a look round if possible.

---

Oh dear - not open until April. There are other places to visit however. Happy to meet up. :thumbsup:

Ok. I'll be in touch when I find out the dates

---

Excellent - be prepared to get muddy!

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your response with your WCMS hat on.

As a bit of background, I've had a copy of your 1990s(?) article The Use of Plate Rails in the Godstone Firestone Quarries for years and, since retirement, it has rattled a former interest in the Godstone workings.

Nevertheless, I'm a bit too old and creaky for "caving" nowadays so I was happy to settle for trying to better understand the extent of the workings and where it all sits in relation to the above-ground geography. For example, I've seen words to suggest that the network almost extended out as far as Caterham Station, but I think this unlikely.

So based on the scaled diagram of the workings, all I wanted was a method of positioning this in an above-ground sense, hence my interest in locating features that I can pin point on a map.

Yes I do understand your reluctance in dealing with a nameless individual via a public domain website! I'll try a direct approach to the WCMS as suggested. Thanks

I look forward to hearing from you. 🙂

Hello Curiosity Abounds

The other thing is that the WCMS is a really friendly club, and we do quite a bit of above-ground stuff as well, suitable for the more creaky among us! So there's usually something for everybody, whatever bits of body are currently functioning OK!

Do get in touch, especially if you're local to the M25/M23 intersection, there's plenty going on.

Cheers
Emma
WCMS Chairman