History of Stoney Cove

Divers leaving the water at Stoney Cove

As most people already know, Stoney Cove is a disused stone quarry. Perhaps what is not known is that it was actually a working quarry right up until 1958, and many of the local residents (the older folk!) still recall getting free rides on the horses that used to bring out some of the materials.

Quarrying began at the site at the beginning of the nineteenth century; granite was used to repair and pave streets. While the quarrying took place, so did a whole lot pumping - digging down all that distance and you'll start to contend with the water table! Spring waters were continually pumped away from the quarry, feeding the taps of the Stoney Stanton and Sapcote. However, once the last worker downed tools in 1958, the waters began to fill the expansive hole left after approximately 150 years of quarrying. Five years later and the area was completely flooded.

Fast-forward to the mid 1960s and the cove was first used for diver training, following the discovery of oil in the North Sea; the cove was also used to test underwater equipment, submersibles and the like, also with the intention of using these in the North Sea.

Stoney Cove has been operating as a public dive training facility now since 1978. In the last 20 or so years, the facility has been given a nice new access road, has a new training building going up right now (due to open early in 2003) and has also had numerous attractions dropped in to the waters. Among the favourites are the Wessex helicopter, the Nautilus sub and the Stanegarth, a 1910 steam-powered tug boat. Future attractions will almost certainly be appearing, the first of which is likely to be a giant Buddha statue. We all look forward to seeing that one being dropped in!


Dive Pro: Scuba club offering PADI diving courses in the UK. Based in Wiltshire, training in Swindon, Bristol and the West Country.
	History of Stoney Cove Entrance Charges \| Opening Times \| Underwater Attractions \| The Nautilus \| The Wessex \| The Stanegarth \| History of Stoney Cove \| How to find Stoney \| Accommodation list As most people already know, Stoney Cove is a disused stone quarry. Perhaps what is not known is that it was actually a working quarry right up until 1958, and many of the local residents (the older folk!) still recall getting free rides on the horses that used to bring out some of the materials. Quarrying began at the site at the beginning of the nineteenth century; granite was used to repair and pave streets. While the quarrying took place, so did a whole lot pumping - digging down all that distance and you'll start to contend with the water table! Spring waters were continually pumped away from the quarry, feeding the taps of the Stoney Stanton and Sapcote. However, once the last worker downed tools in 1958, the waters began to fill the expansive hole left after approximately 150 years of quarrying. Five years later and the area was completely flooded. Fast-forward to the mid 1960s and the cove was first used for diver training, following the discovery of oil in the North Sea; the cove was also used to test underwater equipment, submersibles and the like, also with the intention of using these in the North Sea. Stoney Cove has been operating as a public dive training facility now since 1978. In the last 20 or so years, the facility has been given a nice new access road, has a new training building going up right now (due to open early in 2003) and has also had numerous attractions dropped in to the waters. Among the favourites are the Wessex helicopter, the Nautilus sub and the Stanegarth, a 1910 steam-powered tug boat. Future attractions will almost certainly be appearing, the first of which is likely to be a giant Buddha statue. We all look forward to seeing that one being dropped in!
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