Monument record 2533/1 - Weldon Limestone Quarries

Weldon Stone quarries, medieval or earlier. These produced a coarse-grained oolitic limestone from the Middle Jurassic Lincolnshire Limestone Formation. The earliest record is from the 13th century when building material was supplied to Rockingham Castle. In 1295 it was also used for the Eleanor Cross at Geddington, and was used to build the old St Paul's Cathedral in London before the Great Fire. Larege quantities were used in Cambridge, particularly for the colleges from the 14th-17th centuries. The works continued into the post-Mediaeval period, where it was particularly used in chimneys. Despite a period of decline, it was used for the Manaton and Kettering Railway in 1880, and has continued to be quarried since.

{1} Lincolnshire Limestone. The only local building material employed extensively beyond the region was the Weldon Stone of the Upper Lincolnshire Limestone, said to have been used in the old St Paul's Cathedral which was destroyed by fire. In the past Weldon Stone was extensively mined and old underground working occur on both sides of the Kettering to Stamford road, south-west of Weldon. The stone is said to be softer than Clipsham Stone and consequently cheaper to work. It has been used for the restoration of Exeter and Rochester Cathedrals, in Uppingham and Oundle Schools, in Eton College Chapel, in Somerville Library and Merton and Oriel Colleges at Oxford, and in the University Library and Caius, Jesus and Sidney Sussex Colleges at Cambridge.

{2} Stone quarries covering some 25ha south and south-west of Weldon. Many abandoned quarries and the remains of some old shafts survive, in addition to a small area which is still being worked. From these quarries came the well-known Weldon Stone, which has been worked at least since the medieval period and probably even since Roman times.

{3} The stone has been worked since the C13th and is said to have provided the material for the Geddington Cross. In the Rockingham Castle accounts for 1275 Edward Geoffrey, the quarryman, was paid 8s 2d for cutting 700 freestones at Weldon. Master Thomas of Weldon not only sold stone but also provided skilled stone-cutters and layers with a certain number of unskilled workers, and he personally directed their work.
The workings, though largely grassed-over extend over a considerable area and deserted underground quarries are a mile or so to the south-west of the present cutting. In 1966 quarrying began again and the ledges of the warm, honey-colooured stone can be seen just below the level of the A43 to the south of the village. Details of working method given.

{7} Barn Close Extension quarry opened for production on 25th August 1976, on the site of the ancient Weldon Limestone mines.

{8} Historic Lincolnshire Limestone quarries at Kings Cliffe, Weldon and Stanion. The Upper Lincolnshire Limestone near Weldon and Corby was up to 12m thick, much of it being removed in quarrying for ironstone.
Within the village of Weldon old hills and hollows, grassy or wooded, and cottages of rubble and ashlar, bear witness to its past. The most interesting building is Haunt Hill (more details given).
Plate 1.11 showing modern stone-working machinery at Weldon. The Treshams used Weldon Stone in creating their buildings. Rushton Hall was built of Weldon Stone ashlar in the early C16th. Rothwell Market House (1578), also built of Weldon Stone, the quarries at this time being owned by Sir Christopher Hatton. The Triangular Lodge of 1597 had Weldon Stone dressings, as did Lyveden New Bield (unfinished, 1605). Lists many other examples of buildings using the stone.
The history of the quarries has been described in detail by J.Best. The quarries, long owned by the Finch-Hattons (Earls of Winchelsea and Nottingham), were sold to The British Steel Corporation in 1962, who leased the main quarry to Stamford Freestone Ltd from 1966. The stone was then cut by the technique known as 'plug and feathers'. Work continued here until 1977 when ironstone quarrying extended into the area. Another old freestone quarry was re-opened by Weldon Stone Enterprises Ltd, less than 1km to the south. There was however insufficient good stone to continue quarrying after 1985, and Weldon Stone ceased to be obtainable here. A small stock remains for restoration work.

{9} On the south side of Weldon a little without it, hard by the highway, is a goodly quarry of stone, where appear great diggings.

{11} In the reign of Edward I, Master Thomas of Weldon not only supplied freestone for the repair of Rockingham Castle, but himself directed the work and provided six of the subordinate masons, including his two sons Thomas and William. Early in the 14th century Master John of Weldon was engaged by Bishop Baldock of London as master-mason of St Paul's Cathedral. In the reign of Edward IV Weldon stone was used in building the chapel of King's Chapel, Cambridge and as records become more abundant in the 16th and 17th century centuries it becomes clear that the quarries were then in the hands of two families of masons, the Grumbolds and the Frisbeys. The Grumbolds were involved with the Market House at Rothwell and Lyveden New Beild for Tresham, Fotheringhay Bridge, elements of Harrold House and possibly rebuilding the spire of St Mary the Great, Cambridge.
Leland observed when he passed through Weldon in the reign of Henry VIII, the quarries lie 'on the south side' of the village 'a little without it'. Humphrey Frisbey is thought to have built Haunt Hill House which stands close to the former quarries and bears the arms of the Masons Company.

{12} Undated quarry recorded during field survey.

{13} Slight markings on the north side of the road to Stanion might represent the early stone quarries (possibly mentioned by Leland in the 1540s). Some have tracks leading to them from the road.

{14} 'Old Limestone Quarries' indicated on north side of road from Weldon to Stanion.

{15} Possible presence of old quarries is suggested on 1880s first edition OS.

<1> Lancaster University Archaeological Unit, 1999, Monuments Protection Programme: Quarrying Industry (Step 3 Revised Report, Introduction to Site Assessments), Northamptonshire 3 (Report). SNN102415.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.165-6 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Steane J., 1974, The Northamptonshire Landscape, p.182-83 (checked) (Book). SNN5137.

<4> Arkell W.J., 1947, Oxford Stone, (unchecked) (Book). SNN106970.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950, Ordnance Survey 1950s Mapping Series (SP98), (unchecked) (Map). SNN47732.

<6> Best J., 1978, Using The Environment, No.6(a): Quarries, Weldon and Ketton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106971.

<7> Tonks E., 1992, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Corby Area, p.172+222 (checked) (Book). SNN39836.

<8> Sutherland D.S., 2003, Northamptonshire Stone, p.15+77-88 (part checked) (Book). SNN104515.

<9> Leland J., 1543, Itinerary, (unchecked) (Series). SNN13988.

<10> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.354 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

<11> Colvin, H M, 1961, Haunt Hill House, Weldon, p. 223-5 (Chapter). SNN110492.

<12> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, (checked) (Database). SNN102279.

<13> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 268 (Map). SNN104902.

<14> Tonks E., 1992, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Corby Area, p.172 (unchecked) (Book). SNN39836.

<15> Ordnance Survey, 1880, First Edition OS 6 Inch Mapping Series (17NE), (checked) (Map). SNN41965.

<16> Taylor, JH, 1963, Geology of the Country around Kettering, Corby and Oundle, p. 136 (Book). SNN113765.

<17> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, AP (RAF VAP 541/612 3081-5 4062-4) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:05PM