Reigate Stone: Geology, Use and Repair

Describes the geological distribution of Reigate Stone, a calcareous sandstone, and comments on its extraction in medieval times. Examines its characteristics to explain its popularity for carved work on many important historic buildings and advises on its identification. Explains the distribution of Reigate stone in buildings by reference to transport links and summarizes the results of archival and field investigations in a distribution map. Discusses the significance of chemical decay using examples from Surrey churches.