Description:Beech caves are man-made caves close to the hamlet of Beech where sandstone was quarried for local use. The 1879 Ordnance Survey map shows the area as an 'Old Quarry', as by then it no longer used. In 1901 both a quarry and a cave are shown and by 1924 the site is listed only as 'Beech Caves' and the area had become woodland. During the 2nd World War the caves were used to store munitions.
Remembering Beech Caves
A client at Regent Court in Newcastle-under-Lyme remembers visiting Beech Caves as a young man:
"I used to go inside the caves. We were very young. It was a regular place to go. At one time, I reversed the car and fell in the stream! Beech Caves are sandstone caves. It's all red. It was quite high as well."
Photographer: William Blake of Longton