The tunnels resulted from 2,000 years of quarrying Beer stone, which was particularly favoured for cathedral and church features such as door and window surrounds because of its colour and workability for carving.

An adit to another set of workings can be seen from the South West Coast Path east of Branscombe, having been exposed by a landslip in the late 18th century.

When first mined, it is relatively soft and easily cut, but it hardens with exposure to the air, and becomes about as hard as Portland stone.

[4] At this time the estuary of the River Axe provided a safe harbour for the removal of the stone by boat.

The Roman section is typified by large arches which support the roof and was hand excavated using picks and wooden wedges.

Quarry men worked long hours by candlelight with hand tools such as picks and saws.