Swell Tor Quarries, Dartmoor
Swell Tor Quarry. Probably began working soon after opening of Plymouth to Dartmoor Railway, in September 1823. Closed in late 1930s. Dressed granite from Swell Tor was supplied for widening of London Bridge. Several buildings surveyed in 2000.
Dartmoor National Park
SHINE: Earthwork and structural remains on Walkhampton Common including 19th century Swelltor and Foggintor Quarries, a section of the early 19th century Plymouth and Dartmoor Tramway, later converted to railway, also streamworks along the Yes Tor Brook
Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/111/10
Old DCC SMR Ref: SX57SE/111/2
SHINE Candidate (Yes)
GRANITE QUARRY (XIX to World War II - 1823 AD to 1939 AD? (Between))
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING (XIX - 1835 AD to 1899 AD (Between))
OFFICE (XIX - 1835 AD to 1875 AD (Between))
BLACKSMITHS WORKSHOP (XIX - 1850 AD to 1899 AD (Between))
DRESSING SHED (XIX to XX - 1850 AD to 1935 AD (Between))
EXPLOSIVES STORE (XIX - 1850 AD to 1899 AD (Between))
FOREMANS HOUSE (XIX - 1850 AD to 1899 AD (Between))
WEIGHBRIDGE (XIX - 1850 AD to 1899 AD (Between))
BUILDING (XX - 1901 AD to 2000 AD (Between))
'Swelltor Quarries' marked on Ordnance Survey 6 inch historic (1906) map.
Minchinton, W. E., 1973, Industrial Archaeology in Devon, 26 (Monograph). SDV7016.
National Monument Record, 1976, SX5672, 3 (Aerial Photograph). SDV267145.
Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Interpretation). SDV319854.
Quarry, Swell Tor Quarries, disused. Visible on aerial photographs and recorded on map overlay.
Stanier, P., 1986, Granite quarrying in Devon and Cornwall, 22, 184 (Article in Serial). SDV283053.
Passmore, A., 2000, An Archaeological Survey of Swell Tor Quarry Buildings, Walkhampton, Devon, 10, 13 (Report - Survey). SDV260532.
Swell Tor Quarry. Probably began working soon after opening of Plymouth to Dartmoor Railway, in September 1823. Closed in late 1930s. Dressed granite from Swell Tor was supplied for widening of London Bridge.
The Building Assessment
Late 19th century blacksmith's shop constructed of quarried waste granite bonded with various lime mortars, measures 9 metres by 7 metres. Two of the four walls survive to full height of 2.65 metres above ground level. Relationship between the walls indicates two phases of development, with the best-preserved being later additions. Three internal features are visible: stone built structures against two of the walls, and a stone with four protruding bolts. The base of the forge survives, and tumble within and outside the building represents the remains of the collapsed forge and chimney. The stone with metal bolts may be the base of the anvil, and a structure and associated rubble near opposite wall is probably a second forge. Building is now roofless, but mortar bonding for a corrugated iron roof survives. Window and door openings have reinforced concrete lintels and mortar for supporting wooden frames.
Offices. Small square building, replaced by larger rectangular structure, with interior features. Mid-19th century, 13.3 by 5.6 metres, by 1.8 metres high. Possibly had a tar roof.
Late-19th century explosives store. Probably associated with quarry to the north-east of the main complex. Constructed of quarried waste granite, with a roof of large slabs of granite. Door on eastern side. Measures 2.65 by 4.15 metres, by 1.10 metres high. Similar to circular building at Holwell Tor Quarry.
Weighbridge. Late-19th century. Built of quarried waste granite, with a door on the east side. Measures 2.7 by 3.7 metres by 1.5 metres high.
Mid 19th century building. Only 1 course of quarried waste granite survives, measuring 3.20 by 1.20 metres, by 0.03 metres high.
Late 19th century mason's dressing shed. Constructed with granite rear walls. Seems to be open fronted, with roof supported on iron 'I' plates. Measures 12 by 10 metres, by 2 metres high.
Foreman's office. Late 19th century, measuring 4.7 by 4.75 metres. Two foundation courses of large dressed granite blocks survive , with a porch to the north.
Late 19th century building, possibly a store. Two surviving walls constructed of quarried waste granite. Measures 3 by 1 by 2 metres.
Late 19th century building, probably a shelter. Built of quarried waste granite, with entrance on north side. Measures 3.1 by 3.6 metres by 0.5 metres high.
Probably mid-19th century buildings, measuring 3.35 by 2.90 metres, by 0.60 metres high, constructed of quarried waste granite, with door in north-western corner.
Early 20th century mason's dressing shed. Constructed of quarried waste granite, with an internal division and a chimney at the south end. 19.5 by 8.7 by 1.4 metres high.
Quarry is depicted on the modern mapping.
SDV260532 Report - Survey: Passmore, A.. 2000. An Archaeological Survey of Swell Tor Quarry Buildings, Walkhampton, Devon. A4 Comb Bound + Digital. 10, 13.
SDV267145 Aerial Photograph: National Monument Record. 1976. SX5672. National Monument Record Aerial Photograph. Unknown. 3.
SDV283053 Article in Serial: Stanier, P.. 1986. Granite quarrying in Devon and Cornwall. Industrial Archaeology Review. 9.1. 22, 184.
SDV319854 Interpretation: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1985. Aerial Photograph Project. Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England Aerial Photograph P. Cartographic.
SDV350786 Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2013. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital. [Mapped feature: #93681 ]
SDV7016 Monograph: Minchinton, W. E.. 1973. Industrial Archaeology in Devon. Industrial Archaeology in Devon. Paperback Volume. 26.
Associated Monuments
MDV61879 Parent of: Blacksmith's shop at Swell Tor Quarry (Building)
MDV51526 Parent of: Remains of engine house at Swell Tor Quarry (Building)
MDV28209 Related to: Branch railway at Swell Tor Quarry (Monument)
MDV5005 Related to: Foggintor Quarry, Princetown (Monument)
MDV19112 Related to: Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway (Dartmoor section) (Monument)
MDV51527 Related to: Remains of smithy at Swell Tor Quarry (Building)
EDV7384 - Survey of buildings at Swell Tor Quarry, Walkhampton