23 August 2016
Last updated at 11:33
News
Terrafirma share the Hidden Legacy of Mineral Extraction in Somerset
We used Terrafirma's unique mineral extraction map, Terrasmart, to uncover the hidden legacy of mineral extraction in Somerset.
 |
|
|
In June of 2014 a sinkhole opened up in the middle of a road in Wells, Somerset. The hole measured a staggering 5 metres across and was over three and a half metres deep. |
|
West Somerset has a rich and diverse extractive history, with the iron mines of the Brendon Hills leaving a visible legacy in local towns such as Minehead’s ‘Mineral Railway’ and in the Quantocks, ancient medieval mining exists for copper and iron with estimated 600 mine shafts littering the hills and small urban centres such as Kingston St Mary and Nether Stowey.
Rare deposits of alabaster have been worked north of Somerton and the Jurassic limestones of Central Somerset, particularly at Ham Hill, near Yeovil have been used in the construction of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Extensive peat deposits exist across the Somerset Levels, extracted for centuries as a source of fuel and fertiliser and even chalk and flint has been exploited on the southern margins of Somerset at Chard.
In the north east of the county, coal, Fuller’s Earth and Bath Stone have been intensively extracted around Bath, Midsomer Norton and Peasedown St John.
You can read more about the history of mineral extraction in your area by visiting www.minesearches.co.uk/terrasmart
The full range of mineral extraction reports from Terrafirma is now available as part of our Complete Search Service. For more information email andytowers@propertysearchgroup.co.uk or call 01460 249314
More News