Clipsham Limestone

Clipsham Limestone

<NOTE:  CONTENTS ARE BETA VERSION – SUBJECT TO FACT CHECK AND VERIFICATION> changed

Geological Formation of Clipsham Limestone

The Clipsham Limestone is a Jurassic limestone that was deposited in a shallow marine environment. It is part of the Lincolnshire Limestone Formation and belongs to the Inferior Oolite Group, which dates back to the middle Jurassic period (Bajocian age). The Inferior Oolite Group spans from the lower Bathonian to the upper Bajocian age and comprises a range of limestones, oolitic limestones, and clays (Bristow et al., 1997).

Lithologically, the Clipsham Limestone is a white to cream-colored, fine-grained oolitic limestone that contains ooliths (small spherical grains) and bioclasts (fossil fragments). It has a characteristic “sugary” texture and is locally known as “Clipsham Sugar Limestone” due to the small ooliths that give the rock its crystalline appearance (Bristow et al., 1997). The Clipsham Limestone is approximately 15 meters thick and is overlain by the Rutland Formation (BGS, 2021).

The Clipsham Limestone is located in the southeastern part of Lincolnshire, near the village of Clipsham. The stone has been used in construction for over 800 years and has been quarried extensively in the area. The stone is known for its durability, workability, and weather-resistant qualities, making it a popular choice for construction and building projects.

Alternative names for the Clipsham Limestone include Clipsham Stone, Clipsham White Limestone, and Clipsham Sugar Limestone (BGS, 2021).

Uses in Buildings

The Clipsham Limestone has been used in many well-known buildings in the UK, including St. Pancras Station in London and the British Museum.

St. Pancras Station is an iconic Victorian-era train station opened in 1868 that was renovated in the early 2000s. The renovation included the use of Clipsham Limestone for the restoration of the station’s façade. The stone was chosen for its durability, weather-resistant qualities, and its ability to replicate the original stonework (Porter, 2016).

The British Museum is a world-famous museum in London that houses a vast collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The Clipsham Limestone was used in the construction of the museum’s façade and for the restoration of the museum’s Great Court in 2000. The stone was selected for its durability and its ability to match the original stonework (McLean, 2002).

1. York Minster – Clipsham was used in the restoration of the north transept of this cathedral in the early 20th century (BGS,2021).
2. Windsor Castle – Clipsham was used in the construction of the Queen Anne’s Summerhouse, a small pavilion in the castle gardens (BGS,2021).
3. The Natural History Museum in London – Clipsham was used in the construction of the museum’s terracotta-clad tower (BGS,2021).

The Clipsham Limestone has been used extensively in the villages surrounding the quarry, including Clipsham, Great Casterton, and Empingham. Many buildings in these villages, such as houses, churches, and farm buildings, have been constructed using the stone.

Clipsham Quarry is currently owned and operated by Stamford Stone Company Ltd, which specializes in the production of building and masonry stone (Stamford Stone Company, 2023).

Disclaimer: Any external linked sites are not University owned and may no longer work. You access these external links at your own risk.

References:

Bristow, C. M., Mortimore, R. N., & Wood, C. J. (1997). Lithostratigraphy for mapping the Jurassic System of Great Britain. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, 108(1), 29-74.

British Geological Survey. (2021). Clipsham Limestone. Retrieved from https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/buildingStones/clipsham.html

Clipsham Stone Company. (n.d.). Clipsham limestone. Retrieved from https://www.stamfordstone.co.uk/stone/

McLean, H. (2002). The British Museum: Great Court. Building Research & Information, 30(5), 337-339