MineArchiveMines in Dorset
Dorset's mining history is dominated by stone rather than metal — Tilly Whim, three small quarries cut directly into the Purbeck coastal cliffs near Swanage, worked the same Jurassic limestone beds that produced Portland's famous building stone, supplying coastal fortifications during the Napoleonic Wars before demand collapsed in 1812. Reinvented as a Victorian tourist attraction and closed to the public since 1976, the caves survive today as a protected bat roost within Durlston Country Park.
| Mine | Worked | Commodities |
|---|---|---|
| Tilly Whim Caves | Worked predominantly through the 18th century; possibly earlier–Quarrying ended around 1812; closed to public access in 1976 | Freestone |
Record created: 22 August 2026