History

Around 2000 years of history…

A recent excavation of a Roman Villa in the south west of England surfaced Delabole Slates used on a roof.

Before this there are shadowy remnants of nomadic Beaker folk using Delabole Slate as plinths and flat surfaces in the Cornish landscape.

1284: The name "Delabole" is first recorded. Evidence suggests slate was already being extracted in the area.
Medieval Period: Early settlers in Cornwall recognized the value of slate for roofing and construction. The quality of Delabole Slate distinguished it from other materials, making it sought after for local use.

16th Century: Slate extraction expanded significantly during the Elizabethan era. Five quarries in the area were actively supplying slate for roofing, floors, and building projects across England.
1602: Richard Carew’s Survey of Cornwall highlights Delabole Slate’s exceptional qualities, describing it as “in substance thin, in colour fair, in lasting long.”
Delabole Slate was also exported to Brittany and the Netherlands, gaining international recognition.

Delabole Quarry provided slate for regional and national projects, with increasing demand for its high-quality stone.
The surrounding village began to develop as quarry workers and their families settled nearby, creating a tight-knit community.
Early signs of organized quarrying operations emerged, setting the stage for industrial-scale extraction.

1841: The five quarries operating in Delabole merged to form the Old Delabole Slate Company, unifying operations and streamlining production.
Slate was transported to Port Gaverne for export. 30 wagons and over 100 horses were required to load a 60-ton ship, reflecting the logistical challenges of the time.
By the mid-19th century, Delabole employed over 1,000 workers and extracted an average of 120 tonnes of slate daily.
The quarry became a hub of industrial activity, influencing the economic and social fabric of the region.

1860s: Quarrying techniques evolved, improving efficiency and slate quality.
Delabole became one of the largest slate quarries in England, supplying slate to prestigious building projects.
The community flourished alongside the quarry.
Railways began to ease transportation challenges, facilitating the distribution of slate to a broader market.

Mechanization transformed the quarrying process, including the introduction of new cutting and extraction tools.
World War I: Quarry production slowed as workers left for military service, and demand for slate declined temporarily.
1920s–1930s: Delabole Slate faced competition from alternative mass-produced materials, impacting profitability.
World War II: Production further decreased, though the quarry remained a critical source of employment for the local community.

1970s–1980s: Ownership changes, including a period under Rio Tinto, marked a phase of uncertainty for the quarry.
1999: A management buyout, led by George Hamilton, returned the quarry to local ownership, stabilizing operations

2005: The Hamilton family assumed full ownership, marking the first time since the 1830s that the quarry was under single-family control.
Sustainability initiatives were introduced to ensure the quarry’s longevity and environmental responsibility.
Delabole Quarry continues to innovate, adopting modern technologies like diamond wire saws to improve efficiency and preserve slate reserves.
The quarry remains integral to the local economy and culture, symbolising resilience and tradition.