A Rich Legacy

Walltown QuarryThe presence of an historical stone quarrying industry has greatly contributed to Northumberland’s unique landscape, not only the former quarries but also the richness of the stone built heritage, both rooted in the geology of the region. The quarries themselves represent the remains of a once thriving industry whose products have helped define the character of the county.

Many of the abandoned sites now provide havens for wildlife, and sites of interest for the naturalist, archaeologist, geologist and in some cases for sporting activities such as rock climbing. Although some have been landfilled, and many used for small scale tipping, they can be viewed as a positive resource for the story of the past they tell, their part in defining the character of the region, the natural diversity they contain, and in some cases the potential stone resource still contained within them.