Monument record M386 - Gypsum mines at Red Hill, Ratcliffe on Soar

Summary

GYPSUM MINE? (Medieval) Former major producer of alabster, now worked out. This produced substantial amounts of red mottled alabaster in mid-late 18th century which was used for columns in various houses. By 1811 it was primarily a gypsum plaster quarry with kilns. There are grass grown mounds in a re-entrant from facing west above the River Soar at SK49303060, which are presumably the remains of the mid 14th century gypsum mines.

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 49287 30560 (96m by 108m)
Map sheet SK43SE
District Rushcliffe
Civil Parish Ratcliffe on Soar, Rushcliffe

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

On the N slope of the hill, that is, facing the River Trent, there are several pits in the sloping bank which may be trial holes for gypsum quarrying. Med pottery and pick axes were found on the site which may indicate quarrying at that time. (1)
Grass grown irregular mounds in re-entrant form facing W above River Soar - remains of 1350 AD gypsum mines. (Fine alabaster monuments in Ratcliffe church may have come from here.) Pick heads found here are in NCM. (--/12/1964) (2)
Disused mine by River Soar. (3)
See L7943 for burials, L406 for Preh finds from this area, M500 for Ro settlement.


Council for British Archaeology, 1963, National Record of Industrial Monuments (NRIM): Index Cards, NRI01 (Index). SNT6095.

English Heritage, 2000, Lime Cement and Plaster, 2000, Nottinghamshire 1: English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment (Step 3 Reports) (Unpublished document). SNT6157.

Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<1> Thoroton Society, 1963, TTS, p 23 (Published document). SNT377.

<2> CBA, Industrial Survey (Published document). SNT184.

Other Refs: IA4 68/1

<3> NMR, Air Photos (Aerial photograph). SNT962.

Other Refs: NLAP SK 4930/1

Sources/Archives (6)

  • --- Digital archive: Historic England. 2021. National Record of Historic Environment.
  • --- Index: Council for British Archaeology. 1963. National Record of Industrial Monuments (NRIM): Index Cards. NRI01.
  • --- Unpublished document: English Heritage. 2000. Lime Cement and Plaster, 2000, Nottinghamshire 1: English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment (Step 3 Reports).
  • <1> Published document: Thoroton Society. 1963. TTS. 67. p 23.
  • <2> Published document: CBA. Industrial Survey.
  • <3> Aerial photograph: NMR. Air Photos.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jul 9 2026 11:19AM

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