Farmington natural stone is an oolitic limestone, laid down in the mid Jurassic period approximately 165 million years ago. The limestone belt from which Cotswold and Bath stone are sourced stretches from Exeter to Hull.

Farmington stone has a fine-grained texture with some shell and compression layers visible. It is creamy in colour but contains subtle colour variations adding warmth and beauty to the stone. Samples are available on request.

Three major factors influence the weathering of natural stone's colour: surface texture; cleanliness of the environment; and position relevant to the prevailing wind and weather. For example a rough textured field wall will quickly go grey and attract lichens. A smooth vertical wall in a city will mellow to a honey colour but be influenced also by local pollution. Any horizontal feature in the same structure will weather slowly to a greyer shade.

All limestones are composed of stratified layers. To increase durability stone should be laid, wherever possible, on its natural ‘bed’. Full information on bed position for architectural masonry is contained in BS5390 Code of Practise for Stone Masonry.

• Density: 2200kg / m3
• Compressive strength: 21.8N / mm2
• Porosity by volume: 20.8%
• Saturation coefficient: 0.72
• Durability: Category C/D as determined by the sodium sulphate crystallisation test (BRe digest 269 “The selection of building stone”)
• Thermal conductivity: K = 1.9W / m2 (exposed conditions)

**Authority Building Research establishment

Natural stone lintels are suitable for clean spans up to 1 metre. This will adequately support a triangular load from the outer leaf. Lintels over this length are supplied split with a keystone and care should be taken that they are adequately supported during construction. We advise that you seek the guidance of a structural engineer on such matters.

All Farmington stone products are accurately finished, particularly sawn stone and architectural dressings, many of which are finished by hand, signed off with the relevant mason's mark. All stone should be handled with care on site and if shrink wrapped it is recommended that packaging should be left on until the product is actually required. Stone should be stacked on a level flat surface.

Limestone should not be used in close contact with sandstone.

On extraction limestone contains a certain amount of quarry sap and it will also be saturated with water during the cutting process. For this reason it is advisable to cover stored stone during frosty conditions.

Building stone is supplied by the bag (approx. 4 -4.5m2 per bag). It is supplied as random bagged, or individually coursed and bagged (approx. 125mm on bed in varying course heights). Dry stone walling is supplied in bulk by the bag (one bag of walling stone will produce approximately 2m2 of finished wall face).

Sawn stone and architectural products are supplied palletised and packed according to size and weight.

Any unusual site conditions that may affect delivery should be advised at the time of order.

When specifying, the following is suggested: "Natural stone to be supplied by Farmington Stone, Northleach, Cheltenham, GL54 3NZ" To place an order please contact the customer services desk and confirm in writing by fax or e-mail. Samples and sample panels for planning approval can be supplied. Our technical department can provide specialist information and advice. Our technical representatives have considerable knowledge and experience on all aspects of stone construction.

Farmington has exported its building stone throughout the world. In Melbourne, Australia an entire mansion has been built using Farmington Stone. Farmington can now boast the longest Cotswold stone wall outside the Cotswolds in Atlanta, USA. Farmington stone is also exported to various distribution outlets in Japan.

Export enquiries are dealt with by our customer services team.