From Portland Stone to Millstone Grit, Historic England is launching a new online database of the stones that define the rich diversity of our country’s buildings.
Historic England is unveiling the first Building Stones Database for England, which brings together information on over 4,000 types of building stones, their uses and sources, in a searchable online GIS map explorer.
Users can browse the geological map, search by postcode, address or place name as well as looking for a specific building stone, representative buildings or structures made with each stone type, and stone sources.
Photo: St Peter's Square, Manchester - Historic England Database
The database identifies important indigenous building stones, where they were extracted and potential sources for repairs and new construction.
Historic England has led the development of the comprehensive new database, working with the British Geological Survey, local geologists, historic building experts and volunteers.
Designed as a resource to help a wide range of professionals - from planners, architects, builders, surveyors, conservation advisors and developers - to homeowners and anyone with an interest in the geology and history of their local area, the database has been developed with funding from the government and Historic England.
Just under half the country’s listed buildings (49%) are made from stone and it is a key material in many more. It also features heavily in conservation areas and historic high streets, as well as in thousands of unlisted buildings and structures.
These buildings are potentially under threat, as suitable stone to repair them is often difficult to source.
The database helps to pinpoint which stones come from specific quarries, empowering Mineral Planning Authorities to take steps to protect them.
The new tool could also potentially cut the carbon footprint of repairs by identifying the closest sources of stone used in a building and thus reducing the need for long haul transport when replacing it.
The database is accompanied by a series of 45 highly illustrated regional guides covering different areas of the country.
From Roman walls to Norman churches, workers cottages to imposing town halls, the guides highlight local buildings, the stone used in their construction and the underlying geology which has helped shaped the distinct character of an area.
Clara Willett, Senior Building Conservation Advisor at Historic England, said: “England’s diverse geology has given rise to a huge variety of building stones, which in turn has helped shape our historic landscape – from cottages to grand castles, industrial mills to bridges.
“Before modern transport, buildings were constructed with locally available building stones, which commonly reflect the area’s geology. This has helped create the character and distinctiveness of our towns, villages and rural landscapes.
“The need for a database was identified following research which revealed that - despite the importance of stone to England’s historic environment - there was no comprehensive catalogue to help match stones used in a building to their source.
“Historic buildings are generally best repaired with the same type of stone used in their construction. Understanding the properties and performance of the original stone helps to determine the replacement. Like-for-like repair avoids further damage caused by incompatibility, as well as being important for a visual match.”
Understanding the different types of vernacular building, and the stone used in their construction, is also important for new developments, as outlined in the National Model Design Code approach. It helps to respect and enhance the existing character of the surrounding area and create a sense of place.
The launch of the new database and guides has been timed to coincide with the Natural Stone Show in London (6-8 June), where Historic England is hosting a conservation conference.
For more information on the Building Stones Database for England, visit the technical guidance section on Historic England’s website at https://historicengland.org.uk/building-stones-england
