Firestone and hearthstone mines in east Surrey

Old workings in the upper greensand formation of east Surrey date back many centuries. Workings exist at a number of locations between Reigate and Godstone. All workings of any significance are gated. Access to some of the workings at Merstham and Godstone may be arranged by contacting Wealden Cave and Mine Society. As a general rule, all visits are led. Older workings were for block stone for building or industrial purposes and are known as quarries, and more recent workings were used to extract the same material in lump form for domestic purposes (whitening doorsteps, floors and hearths) and are known as mines.



Wealden Cave and Mine Society project to secure a new hearthstone mine entrance. Photo: Peter Burgess