Breakwater Quarry

aka Holyhead Quarry


Limestone Quarry

Worked from 1848 to 1973

Jan 9th, 2025 from ilt by ilt



North Wales
Holyhead
53.3168068, -4.6654978
SH 2254 8330
Private Land
#26,643


The quarried area now forms part of a country park. The route of the railway can be followed down and onto the breakwater (though public vehicle access has now been stopped on the breakwater).



The quarries were opened in 1848 to supply limestone to build the new Holyhead Breakwater. Limestone was also calcined onsite for use in the construction. A broadguage railway was built to transport the cut stone blocks and rubble. This breakwater is the longest example in the UK and approximately 7.25 million tonnes of stone were moved. The railway remained in use for maintenance of the breakwater until 1913 when it was replaced with a new standard guage line which was used up until the 1980s.
Following completion of the breakwater in 1875 the quarry continued to supply limestone commercially until 1973.



Country Park. Open


Publications (1)

  • (1920); BGS - Mineral Resources of GB (c1920s) Vol VI - Refactory Materials. Ganister, Silica Sand, Dolomite; 258 pages






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