The Quarrying Years (1890-1970)

The area on which the Country Park now stands has had a chequered recent history. From limestone quarry to a tip for household rubbish, the site has now been reclaimed for the benefit of wildlife and the local community.

The quarries here provided limestone for the large cement works that stood until 1970 on the site of the present Cosmeston housing estate. The works had opened in the 1880s and were owned by the British Portland Cement Manufacturers and later Blue Circle. The quarry forming the east lake was begun in the 1920s, but was enlarged when the quarry forming the west lake was opened up from the late 1940s.

Limestone was transported over to the works using narrow gauge locomotives. The railway crossed the road where the present day park entrance is situated. Originally, the line used steam locomotives named ‘Annie’ and ‘Marjorie’ but then, from 1951, newly-built Fowler diesel engines, 'Victor' and 'Hector' took over the workload. Victor and Hector were to work together again after the quarry closed being reunited at Whipsnade Safari Park in 1975. The peak year of production was 1962, when 175,000 tons of cement were manufactured.

Their famous ‘Dragon’ brand of cement was used to produce many of the early paving slabs laid in Penarth. The works finally shut in November 1969. Blue Circle stated it was not possible to upgrade the old plant to increase production any further, nor extend the existing quarries, which were closed in June 1970.

The end of production also resulted in the closure of the standard gauge railway line from its current terminus at Penarth down to the works, and this has now become a popular footpath.

This aerial photo from 1926 shows the extensive size of the cement works which once stood across the road, south of the quarry. The company vacated the premises in 1970. All that remains today is the office, now a public house and restaurant (the building just beneath the group of chimneys to the left).

The B4267, Lavernock Road, runs from left to right along the bottom of the picture. The old railway line from Penarth to Cadoxton in Barry runs though the middle and just visible at the top left is the coastline between Penarth and Lavernock Point. Housing now occupies the former cement works site and most of the fields beyond.

A call for more information

If you have any interesting pictures or information on the history of Cosmeston, the country park staff would love to hear from you. Please call the visitor centre on 029 2070 1678 or e-mail cosmestonlakes@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk