Old Town Quarry

The Old Town Quarry is a valued green space in the heart of the community, offering a peaceful place to enjoy nature, relax and explore. Rich in local wildlife and natural beauty, the quarry provides an important habitat for a variety of plants and animals while giving residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the outdoors close to home.

Whether you’re taking a leisurely walk, enjoying the changing seasons, or simply looking for a quiet place to unwind, Old Town Quarry is a unique part of our town’s heritage and environment. The Town Council is committed to protecting and enhancing this special space so it can be enjoyed by current and future generations.

On this page, you’ll find information about the quarry, its history, nature and the quarry project, which allowed the Old Town Quarry to become what it is today.

From the resident artist’s studio and the on-site café and shop to exhibitions, events and community activities, there’s always something happening at Old Town Quarry.

Visit their dedicated website to find out more and see what’s coming up.

History

The Old Town Quarry can trace its origins back to village days. As Weston began to emerge into a fashionable resort land holdings were consolidated by the Enclosure Act and many ‘auster or ancient tenements’ were removed but villagers retained the right to take stone for building works.

Many early 19th century roads were surfaced with stone from this quarry and most Victorian houses are built of stone won from this and other quarries along Worlebury Hill. Work was tough and dangerous both for men and cart horses and there were occasional fatalities.

Shot holes were bored six feet into the limestone and then filled with explosive and fuse cable but in 1880 a stone-breaker and steam roller, acquired by the Town Commissioners (the original local council), brought mechanisation to the process but the quarry remained a dangerous place. As housing spread ever closer to the quarry there were reports of over-zealous blasts hurling great lumps of limestone into nearby gardens.

Quarrying ceased in 1953. Successive councils were unsure what to do: boats and building material were stored on part of the quarry floor but the site quickly became an eyesore. A planning suggestion to build a block of flats was rejected when the site was deemed unsuitable for any commercial or residential development.

Weston Civic Society then looked at the possibility of establishing something different in the quarry: a place for recreation, wildlife, environmental protection, workshops and gallery, cafe and even theatre.

This leaflet gives an interesting summary of the history and geology of the Old Town Quarry – Leaflet – Town Quarry

Arts and Culture

The Quarry hosts a community-led programme of events and activities. All events and upcoming workshops/classes can be found on the Old Town Quarry’s website.

The Quarry has previously been home to many different events including outdoor cinema, Halloween events, comedy and live music.

Nature and Environment

Protecting Our Natural Heritage

The Town Council is committed to protecting Old Town Quarry’s rich wildlife and natural habitats throughout the site’s renovation.

To support this, we have commissioned a range of specialist surveys, including:

  • Arboricultural assessments to help protect the Quarry’s trees and woodland.
  • Ecological surveys focusing on bats, breeding birds, and other wildlife, including the resident peregrine falcons and ravens.
  • Structural surveys to ensure the site’s buildings and infrastructure remain safe.

This work builds on previous ecological surveys carried out by North Somerset Council, including bat surveys before the recent building demolition.

The Quarry is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species, from woodland and cliff-dwelling birds to Ringlet butterflies and the rare White-letter Hairstreak butterfly. All works are carefully planned to minimise disturbance and ensure Old Town Quarry continues to thrive as an important local habitat.

The Quarry Project

On 22nd July 2024, Weston super Mare Town Council signed a lease agreement with North Somerset Council which enables the Town Council to progress with its plans to transform the Old Town Quarry into a landmark arts, culture and heritage asset – a dynamic new hub for culture, creative and digital enterprise for Weston-super-Mare.

After a successful funding application, the Town Council was awarded a grant of almost £700k from the UK government’s Community Ownership Fund, with an additional £200k from Weston-super-Mare Town Council reflecting confidence in its vision for the Quarry’s future. This funding will support the extensive refurbishment required to reopen the site to the public and sustain its legacy for generations to come.

The site has been under the management North Somerset Council until recently, but NSC resolved to grant a lease to Weston-super-Mare Town Council for 35 years for the future management and maintenance of the Old Town Quarry site.

Weston-super-Mare Town Council worked closely with local community experts and specialists to create an ambitious programme of redevelopment and rejuvenation of the Old Town Quarry.

Following an extensive programme of restoration and improvement, Old Town Quarry reopened to the public in October 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for this much-loved community space.

The project transformed the site into a welcoming destination that celebrates its unique heritage, natural environment and creative community. Careful improvements were made to preserve the Quarry’s distinctive character while creating spaces for arts, culture, education and community activities.

Today, visitors can explore the Quarry’s beautiful surroundings, enjoy the café and shop, discover the work of the resident artist, attend events and exhibitions, and take part in a variety of activities throughout the year.

The Town Council would like to thank everyone who supported the project, including partners, volunteers, contractors and the local community. Their contributions have helped ensure Old Town Quarry continues to be a valued place for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

Old Town Quarry 5-10 year Plan Jan 2023