Chicksgrove Quarry is a 14 acres (5.7 ha) geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire

Wiltshire

Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...

, England notified in 1971.

Chilmark stone, a form of limestone

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....

, is quarried at the site.

Chicksgrove Quarry Ltd also operates Chilmark Mine, a site 1.5 miles away. See Chilmark Quarries

Chilmark Quarries

Chilmark Quarries is a 9.65 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest, in the ravine south of the village of Chilmark in Wiltshire, notified in 1977....

Chilmark Stone

Chilmark stone is a fine quality building stone used extensively for construction and restoration projects throughout the South of England and nationally as a match for other stones such as Reigate Stone, Malmstone and Kentish Rag. Thousands of tonnes of Chilmark Stone from Chicksgrove Quarry have been used in the restoration of Salisbury Cathedral. Recent restoration uses for the stone include Westminster Abbey Chapter House and Hampton Court Palace.

Geological Interest

The geology exposed by the present and historical workings at Chicksgrove Quarry contribute heavily towards it’s classficiation as SSSI and access to the former quarry faces for future generations features in the quarry’s restoration plans.

The Chilmark Stone at Chicksgrove Quarry dates from the latter part of the Jurassic period so is around 145 million years old, the stone is from the upper part of the Portland Stone Formation and the very lower beds of the Purbeck Limestone Group.

External links

• Chicksgrove Quarry Ltd - Operators website

• English Nature website (SSSI information)