BEER CAVES

Beer Quarry Caves are a fascinating man-made complex of underground caverns located near the village of Beer in Devon.

The caves have a rich history, with evidence of quarrying dating back over 2,000 years. The Romans were among the first to work in these quarries, which supplied the famous Beer Stone.

The caves provided stone for numerous iconic structures, including 24 cathedrals, such as Exeter and St. Paul’s, parts of Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Hampton Court, and Windsor Castle. 

After the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent persecution of Catholics, local Catholics sought refuge in the darkened depths of the caves. They held secret masses, defying the religious restrictions of the time.

​Quarrymen worked tirelessly in the dimly lit caves, often by the flickering light of tallow candles.

Armed with hand tools such as picks and saws, they chipped away at the Beer Stone, extracting massive blocks from the cave walls.

During the 1750s an explosion in the tunnels took the lives of about 47 quarrymen.

Visitors often report eerie sensations, unexplained sounds, and strange occurrences while exploring the dark and winding passages.

Many have seen a young boy, in ripped trousers in a certain area, as well as a monk being seen pondering in the secret chapel.

With the caves’ long history of human labor and the echoes of ancient rituals, it's no wonder this underground cathedral has a story to tell for those brave enough to venture in it.