Strategic Stone Survey

England has a fantastically rich and varied architectural landscape.  Much of this is due to the great variety of stones used to create this heritage; ranging from cathedrals and castles to small cottages, barns and bridges and even to walls, pavements and kerbs.

 In conservation work, it is vital to obtain stone which matches the original in its mineral composition, density and porosity.  If not, the new stone could hasten the decay of the original and is unlikely to weather in the same, therefore looking very different.

However most of the original quarries have closed and detailed information on the stones used is difficult to find.  This means that it can be extremely challenging to find suitable alternatives.  The Strategic Stone Study aims to address these problems.  English Heritage is working with the British Geological Survey, local geologists and historic buildings experts from each county in England to identify the most important building stones used, representative buildings and historic quarries.

English Heritage has commissioned the British Geological Survey to expand its database of quarries, mines and mineral workings to accommodate an innovative database England’s Building Stone Pits which will become freely available on a new GIS site called EBSPits (England’s Building Stone Pits).  For further information see the British Geological Survey site.

If you would like to be involved in the Strategic Stone Study or have information to contribute, please contact the project manager, Tarnia McAlester via conservation@english-heritage.org.uk