Hunt for a Stone Age Quarry in Shere Woodlands
A Stone Age quarry hides in the deepest parts of Shere Woodlands. Tracking it down is one of the wildest and most exciting trips I have been on since starting this site and one of those rare occasions where I actually began to feel like an explorer…
Warning: Steep and Uneven Paths!
…but it is not an easy walk and involves steep hills.
This walk isn’t for everyone and should not be chosen without careful thought.
The Walk to Combe Bottom
Trying to locate the quarry myself was the really exciting part, and actually took me two visits.
But for anyone without the luxury of time, here are the directions.
From West Hanger Car Park there are two ways to walk down the hill to Combe Bottom but be warned, the hill is very steep – it’s not called West Hanger for nothing…
Route 1: Along the Road
Walk out of the car park to the road. Turn right onto Staple Lane and then right again onto Combe Lane.
Follow Combe Lane down the hill, around a sharp bend to the right and you will come to this sign on the left.
Please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too.
Route 2: Straight Down West Hanger
Leave the car park by the path on the left and walk into the woods.
After a short walk through the woods, you meet a trail running to your right.
Be careful – the trail is very steep and uneven
and the path may be used by mountain bikers.
Near the bottom of the hill you will see the road.
This is Combe Lane and it runs along the bottom of the hill.
Cross the road and walk a short way to the left, until you see the Combe Bottom sign on your right.
Again, please be careful – there is no pavement and cars and cyclist use the road too.
Finding the Holloway
From the Combe Bottom sign, follow the wild path for five to ten minutes, under trees,
If it isn’t too overgrown, you might be able to spot the pillbox on your right.
The route to the quarry is near the end of the holloway, up the steep bank on your left.
If you reach this sign and the end of the holloway, you have gone too far.
To the Quarry!
You should now be standing on top of the steep bank with the holloway behind you. You will notice a second holloway in front of you, which seems to run parallel to the first.
Believe it or not, this is the path to the quarry!
Follow this to the left until you come to a fallen tree blocking the way. This is the entrance to the lowest part of the quarry.
A Neolithic Quarry
The only information I can find about this quarry is that it dates back to the Stone Age, or Neolithic period, and was used to quarry flint.
Today it is a huge, bowl-shaped hole in the hillside with steep sides.
Flint Tools
As you walk back up to West Hanger car park, and pause for the odd rest or two, keep an eye out for flints lying around or amongst the roots of trees.
You may spot a flint tool!
Have a look at the Wessex Archaeology website for details of the types of flint to look out for.
Combe Bottom
Combe Bottom is part of the enchanting Shere Woodlands and sits at the bottom of West Hanger hill.
There is not much to see unless you would like to find the quarry.
Visit the Shere Woodlands website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Shere, near Guildford, Surrey Hills
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU5 9TE
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket or use one of the picnic tables. There is also a mobile cafe that visits (please see their website for details).
Facilities: None
How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Definitely not!
Parking: West Hanger Car Park.
Cost of Parking: Free
Wildlife You Might See: Birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other insects.
Information Written: August 2023
Ratings
Our visit to the Neolithic flint quarry in West Hanger and Combe Bottom in Shere Woodlands near Guildford and in the Surrey Hills is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.
-
Fun
-
Condition
-
Value
-
Would We Go Back
Before taking part in any activities or visiting any places listed, you should make appropriate checks to ensure high quality provision, a safe environment is provided and to check all these details are up to date before you visit and/or take part. We accept no liability (to the fullest extent permitted by law) for the quality of the activities provided or places listed or for the accuracy of any information given.
