The Mendip Hills have long been exploited for stone, and a wide
variety of rock types have been quarried for various purposes.
Today, quarrying is an important local industry particularly in
eastern Mendip, and has had a major impact on both local communities
and the environment. Until the beginning of the 20th century, most
quarries were small local concerns producing agricultural lime
and building stone. The Carboniferous Limestone, Quartzitic Sandstone,
Dolomitic Conglomerate and various Lower and Middle Jurassic limestones
have all been quarried for building stone, and can be seen in local
churches, houses and stone walls. Many of these old quarries are
now important wildlife habitats and Sites of Special Scientific
Interest for their geology.