description: This former Bath stone quarry was converted in to a sub-depot of the Central Ammuntions Depot Corsham. The site consists of two main areas, the main storage area, districts 12 through to 18 and connect via a drift, districts 19 and 20. Each storage district was divided up in to numbered storage bays, main haulage ways were fitted with conveyor belts to transport crates of ammunition around the mine. The storage districts were all fully lit and air conditioned.
photos: no
history:
In 1881 the hills on the North Western side of Monkton Farleigh village were quarried for Bath Stone. By the time the quarries closed in 1930 the whole of the hill was riddled with roughly 300 acres of tunnels.
During the build up to WW2 the War Department decided that there was a need for a large underground ammunitions store. It was decided that the required space could be obtained by converting four quarries, these four formed what was collectively known as the Central Ammunitions Depot Corsham. Monkton Farleigh mine was acquired and became the biggest of the four sub components, a total of two and a half million square foot was converted.
Extensive conversion work was carried out at Monkton Farleigh, existing slope shafts were adapted and four new slope shafts were sunk. Above each of these slope shafts and loading shed building was built. Two service hatches and many air shafts were driven down in to the workings.
The site was served by an aerial rope way which transported the ammo cases from the main GWR line at Ashley. The rope ways needed to be replaced due to it’s vulnerability to attacks from air. A straight tunnel was bored stretching over a mile underground between Monkton and Farleigh Down Sidings.
The depot was gradually completed and filled with ammunition district by district until it’s completion in 1941, it was able to hold up to 120,000 tons of ammunition.
Huge amounts of funds were pumped in to the site after the war to maintain it’s condition until 1960 when it was decided to be surplus. The site was run down over the next few years while the last of the ammunition was depleted.
complete history:
The hills on the North Western side of Monkton Farleigh village have been worked for Bath stone for over 200 years from open quarries. In 1881 the quarrying was taken underground with mines to follow the layer of highly sought after grand olite limestone which was formed in the Jurassic period. The stone was used for the construction of most of Bath’s famous buildings as well as Buckingham Palace and many stately homes across the country.
From start to present day Nettleden.com brings you the full history of Monkton Farleigh mine.
web links: History - a detailed account of MF's past Farleigh Down Tunnel - a mile long tunnel from Monkton Farleigh CAD Corsham - the central ammunitions depot of which this quarry was a part of. Ammo Case Valley - details about 'ammo case valley' Farleigh Down Tunnel - a mile long tunnel from Monkton Farleigh Grahams Grovel - the old drift to Monkton Farleigh Quiz - play the Monkton Farleigh quiz Secret Underground City - lots of photos of Monkton Farleigh over the years (external link). Dark Places - photos and information on the Monkton Farleigh mine (external link). Wansdyke Security - Wansdyke now own most of the mine (external link).
