Slate has been quarried at Delabole for over 1,000 years and during that time it is estimated that 10 million tons of stone have been removed.

In 1842 The Old Delabole Slate Company was formed and successfully secured all the freehold rights to the quarry thus bringing a series of separate operation together for the first time. Soon over 1000 men, women and boys were working the stone here. Today the work is undertaken with just five quarrymen and the use of large machines.

The quarry, which was once the largest man-made hole in Europe, is now almost 500 feet deep and over 1.5 miles around.