Red Quarr

Red Quar is closer to Priddy than Chewton Mendip on the scenic route from Cheddar and if most people recognise the place its as a sharp turn near the Green Ore cross roads. The road shown in the photograph is a minor road turn off from the Cheddar road that leads to to Tor Hole . and Chewton Mendip.

Red Quarr is not shown 1794 map perhaps because it was not in Chewoton Mendip parish or because it belonged to the Kingsmills at the time. The red spot is the approximate location of Red Quarr Farm and the cottage. A map drawn 10 to 10 years later shows two buildings at Red Quarr which was then on a crossroads. Most of the blanks space has been forestry since the early 19th century at least.

The 1840 map  confirms that there were still two buildings on the site and all four roads were still in use. Red Quarr was probably part of the Middlesex tithing but some of the land may have been in West End.

What is shown as a right angle junction on the 1794 map is the sharp bend on the main road. Priddy at the bottom left and Green Ore on the bottom right. Tor Hole is on the top right. These are still public roads but the track leading to Eakers Hill which is at the top of the map is now a bridleway

The road to Green Ore hints at the significance of the cross roads in earlier times when mining dominated the area. The muddy track shown in the picture may not have been in a much better state but it linked the mines at Green Ore with the mines on Eakers Hill.

The word ‘Quarr’ was sometimes used as an alternative spelling of ‘choir’ but it was usually used as a shorten version of ‘quarry’. Quarrs farm on the eastern edge of the parish is another example. As with Redhill, the colour of the soil is an obvious source of the name .

The modern Wigmore farm  is close to the older Red Quarr farm but neither property is mentioned  in the 18th century  churchwarden accounts or poor book.

The building next to the field number 853 is probably still standing and may have been occupied by the Wright family in the 18th century.