Woolton Quarry Tunnel Liverpool Jan 2012

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02-12-2012
Kevsy

Woolton Quarry Tunnel Liverpool Jan 2012

Woolton Quarries History
Quarrying in Woolton has taken place in a number of locations: School Lane, Quarry Street and Woolton Hill Road, from where stone was taken for some of Woolton’s finest buildings.
The quarries know as North and South Quarries produced sandstone, most famously latterly for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Quarrying in a major way dates from the early 1800s, with the name of James Rose figuring large, and many local buildings were built in the local stone. When work on the Anglican cathedral was officially finished, the North quarry closed soon after in 1978.
Just a few buildings made from Woolton stone include Woolton Hall, Stoneleigh, Beaconsfield and Gateacre Grange. There are other quarrying locations as well, notably adjacent to Reynolds Park, in Woolton Hill Road.
Whereas most sources say that the 'Quarrymen' were named after John Lennon's school. Original member Peter Shotton says that a reason they chose that name is because of the massive stone Quarry in Woolton, situated off Quarry Street. Pete said, "Since our native Woolton was pocked with sandstone quarries, and most of us attended Quarry Bank School, The Quarrymen seemed as good a choice as any." So in that sense, living in the shadow of the quarry, they were also 'Quarrymen'.
"The area of the north quarry has now been naturally colonised with an extensive array of flora and fauna. In the past 40 years it has been made available at special request for botanical and archaeological research purposes but sadly due to its steep, sheer sides, it is not open to public access"

Having known of the tunnel for a few years, we finally went to check it out whilst in the area.

We had good fun going down the steep slope to the tunnel on a cold frosty morning. Once we entered the tunnel it felt quite humid. It gave a real feeling of stepping into local history and the hard graft undertaken to create it. Even though it’s not long due to it being blocked off it does make you curious to where it leads to, maybe to the other quarry?
Explored With Georgie.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9392.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9390.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9305.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9334.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9364.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9343.jpg
The part where the tunnel has been blocked off.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9324.jpg
Lots of this loops line the tunnel
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9371.jpg

http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9321.jpg
Georgie
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9352.jpg

Near the entrance is this strange arrangement of stones.
http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/DSCF9386.jpg

Thanks for looking.
02-12-2012
hmtmaj

Thanks Kev, for taking the time to get pics of all these places, we otherwise would never see. :PDT11

Mart
02-13-2012
Max

How high up would the ceiling be if one is over 6ft?
02-13-2012
JMLE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max

How high up would the ceiling be if one is over 6ft?

You'll probably find that the ceiling stays the same height no matter how tall you are.

Sorry, couldn't resist it :rolleyes:
02-13-2012
ChrisGeorge

Very interesting information and images, Kevsy. Many thanks.

Cheers

Chris :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
02-13-2012
Kevsy

Thanks for the comments and its good to see its appreciated.
02-22-2012
Kevsy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max

How high up would the ceiling be if one is over 6ft?

Sorry,forgot to reply to you.Apart from near the entrance its quite high inside.
02-23-2012
wsteve55

Only just spotted these.....interesting pic's,but where that tunnel leads, would be interesting!:nod: :034:
02-23-2012
ItsaZappathing

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMLE

You'll probably find that the ceiling stays the same height no matter how tall you are.

Sorry, couldn't resist it :rolleyes:

Very good.lol
Good posts Kevsy. :handclap:
02-24-2012
Kevsy

Quote:

Originally Posted by wsteve55

Only just spotted these.....interesting pic's,but where that tunnel leads, would be interesting!:nod: :034:

Heres a quote of the reply i got concerning this place of a member of skyscrapercity forum.

"The tunnel actually rises upwards as you go along it (as well as bending to the right), apparently it used to emerge through a hatch at the top of the ledge which you would have stood on before descending down the slope into the quarry (over to the left after you've hopped over the wall by the gate). I haven't managed to find any evidence of the hatch though".

Right,wheres my pick and shovel,time to find out.:)
02-25-2012
wsteve55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevsy

Heres a quote of the reply i got concerning this place of a member of skyscrapercity forum.

"The tunnel actually rises upwards as you go along it (as well as bending to the right), apparently it used to emerge through a hatch at the top of the ledge which you would have stood on before descending down the slope into the quarry (over to the left after you've hopped over the wall by the gate). I haven't managed to find any evidence of the hatch though".

Right,wheres my pick and shovel,time to find out.:)

Get diggin', and take some pic's!:unibrow: