TR 2237; TR 2436. Folkestone quarry. Stone from Folkestone quarry was used for Dover Castle in the 13th century and Sheppey Castle in the 14th century. (1)

Folkestone. Its stone quarries have always played a conspicuous part in its history. They are mentioned in two valuations of the manor of Folkestone in the reign of Henry III. In 1263 "there are there certain quarries worth per annum 20s", and in 1271 "the quarry in which mill-stones and handmill-stones are dug" is worth 20s. per annum. Later in 1356 Edward III ordered from Folkestone stone for warlike engines to be sent to Calais. The accounts of Merton College,Oxford, record "six great stones, to lay under the granary of Elham Rectory, were obtained from Folkestone" in 1330. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), one hundred labourers were employed in the quarries extracting stone for Dover Haven. The Lower Green Sand stone which crops out at Copt Point was quarried during the middle ages. (2)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (3-5)

<1> Building Stones of Eng & Wales 1976 18 (N Davey) (OS Card Reference). SKE38402.

<2> Arch Cant 10 1876 civ-cv cxiii (W A Scott Robertson) (OS Card Reference). SKE34513.

<3> Arch Cant 3 1860 257 (OS Card Reference). SKE34978.

<4> Arch Cant 6 1866 241 (OS Card Reference). SKE35311.

<5> Southern Water Services, 1993, Dover & Folkestone Wastewater Treatment scheme Environmental Statement (Unpublished document). SKE6815.