We love working with limestone and were delighted to be welcomed by Johnston Quarry Group to see exactly where it comes from.
Usually when we first meet limestone it is at the opposite end of its lifespan. Often it has been in situ for several years and in need of some cleaning, polishing or restoration. We love transforming a limestone floor or worktop to make it look brand new again.
It is this that is one of the advantages of using natural stone – its sustainability. This is not just because the stone itself can be restored and resurfaced to increase its longevity, but in the ethical and ‘green’ approach to quarrying and processing.
Starting at the Guiting Quarry the Johnston Quarry Group team showed us around the site. Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, the stone is instantly recognisable. The quarry not only produces a golden block limestone for building and masonry but also a warmer, cream stone that has fossils scattered throughout.
Quarrying and stone masonry is steeped in history and this is something that the group are still committed to. Alongside the block stone produced, the Guiting Quarry also produces stone for dry walling as well as hand finished building stone.
Over at the Great Tew site, we were given an insight into how sustainable the work of the Johnston Quarry Group is. To reach the area currently being quarried, we walked through a site that was no longer being excavated. This now houses the processing plant as well as fields of greenery and trees. This commitment to ethical and sustainable quarrying is such an important part of the natural stone industry.
The quarry at Great Tew also gave the opportunity to see a completely different stone – Ironstone. As stone completely unique to the area, we fell in love immediately.
For anyone who is looking for something a little bit different for their next building project, these two quarries are so worth a visit. With more clients focusing on building with sustainability in mind, natural stone really is the only choice.
Johnston Quarry Group welcome builders, architects, interior designers and anyone looking to learn more about stunning British limestone.
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