Building stones
MineralsUK – Minerals
BGS has provided building stone services since its inception in 1835. Today, the BGS Building Stones Team provides specialist information and advice on building stones, quarries and building conservation to clients in all parts of the UK. This section will give you more information about the team, the work we do, the services we provide and the resources we can draw on.
The BGS Building Stones Team is working to preserve the stone-built heritage of the UK for future generations.
Secrets in the Stone : The work of the BGS Building Stones team.
Our stone heritage
Stone is one of our most important natural resources and, in most parts of the UK, the local stone has provided a source of high quality, versatile and durable building material for centuries.
Building stone services
The BGS Building Stones Team currently provides a range of services designed to help clients concerned with building, repairing and maintaining stone structures, from single buildings to entire towns.
Building Stones Database for Scotland
The Building Stones Database for Scotland (BSDS) aims to define and describe all of the building stones of Scotland and provide details of associated quarries, built sites and samples for each one.
Building Stones Database for England
Strategic stone study and the Building Stones Database for England Map Explorer.
Stone collections, data and testing
The BGS Building Stone Collection consists of hand samples and thin sections from tens of thousands of buildings and quarries throughout the UK.
Publications and downloads
A selection of publications and open reports produced by the BGS Building Stones Team.