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.