Limestone was being quarried here by the mid 18th century and was used for both lime for agricultural purposes and for building stone. It provided much of the stone used to build the fortifications on top of the headland as well as many buildings in the local area, such as Brixham Town Hall and The Palace Theatre in Paignton.

Six quarries were recorded in 1783 as being rendered useless by the presence of the batteries.

Initially stone was taken from both sides of the headland but following a short period of closure in 1828, because it was considered that the works were undermining the defences of the fort, quarrying was allowed on the north side only.

The importance of the lime industry to the local economy can be seen from the petition drawn up when the quarries were temporarily closed in 1828 demanding they re-opened.

You can see the Northern Fort walls still on top of the quarry area and how close the works got to undermining them.

The dock for the ships to load the stone still remains, as does the old pillbox building from the Second World War.  If you look carefully you can see remnants of the metal rails for wagons to load the stone at the quarry face and transport it to the dock.

Be careful of holes where the sea is undermining the concrete platforms.

Do NOT attempt to tombstone dive from the dock or the pillbox.  It is extremely dangerous and foolhardy people have been badly injured here as a result.

The quarry operated until 1969 by which time much of the stone by the northern side of the fort had been removed. The headland was bought by Torbay Borough Council and is now a National Nature Reserve managed by Swisco on their behalf

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The quarry rim is sometimes used for abseiling by the Grenville House team, and climbing by experienced groups.  Permission is required from the Torbay Council to do this.

The headland has important statutory environmental designations and is a Nature Reserve.  Dolphins or porpoises are commonly seen off the headland, as well as seals, basking sharks and jellyfish.

Fulmars nest on ledges on the main cliff face and smaller birds inhabit the holes and small caves.  The rock face is perhaps most important as a habitat for rare Greater Horshoe Bats, which also occupy the caves and holes.