'The glorious honey-coloured stone of Ham Hill ... a magic stone' Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon

The much-loved golden limestone from Ham Hill in Somerset has gone into many famous buildings - such as Sherborne Abbey, Montacute House and numerous other National Trust properties. But this book goes beyond familiar architectural history and far beyond Ham Hill. It describes the complex but fascinating geology of building stones in easily understood terms; the traditional use of Ham Hill Stone through much of Wessex and the South West; and practical problems of transportation before the railways allowed it to travel further afield. Important conservation issues and the future of the quarries complete this lavishly illustrated study.

Richard Durman lives in Salisbury and is a Blue Badge Guide with special interest in buildings. He guides and lectures on architectural themes, has contributed to a number of historical journals and is the author if the acclaimed Classical Buildings of Wiltshire and Bath.

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