Slate is one of the world’s oldest natural stones.

Some 450 million years ago there was considerable volcanic activity lasting thousands of years. The fine dust and coarser ash thrown out by each eruption settled in surrounding hollows.

Successive layers gradually solidified and continuing shrinkage of the earth’s crust put intense pressure on these little pockets, consolidating them into an extremely hard and durable slate. Its prime qualities are the capacity to split along natural lines of cleavage into thin strong tiles, beautiful colours and constantly varying markings which make each piece unique.

English slate has been quarried since Roman times, and throughout the centuries was cut by hand, sent by pack-horse to nearby ports and shipped all over the country to become part of Britain’s architectural heritage.

Today modern diamond tipped saws can slice and polish slate for a wide range of uses, and its natural beauty, quality and durability have found their place in buildings all over the world.