This stone is procured from the Portland and Purbeck series of the oolitic formation as developed near Tisbury, Wardour Castle, in Wiltshire.

It is known also as Wardour stone, and in London as Tisbury stone.

The siliciferous nature of the cement which binds the particles (carbonate of lime) of the stone gives it excellent weathering qualities, while the softness and even grain of some of the beds renders them capable of being elaborately worked.

There are four distinct varieties of the stone.

1 Professional Papers, Royal Engineere, vol. xii

The Trough or Hard Bed is of a close even texture, of yellowish-brown colour.

It has an average thickness of 2 feet 6 inches, but stones may be obtained 3 feet 6 inches thick and of any reasonable length and breadth - the random blocks averaging 16 cubic feet.

It is used principally for steps, also for cornices, copings, sills, plinths, chimney-pieces, paving, road metal, heavy engineering works, and in any position exposed to wet and hard wear.

The Scott or Brown Bed is of warmer colour than the hard bed. Average thickness of bed 3 feet, maximum 4 feet, random blocks average 16 cubic feet.

Principally used for ashlar mouldings, carvings, random rubble, and for building purposes generally.

The General Bed, from the Garden quarry, is of a rich yellow tint and fine texture. It is capable of being elaborately carved, and is chiefly used for that purpose, also for ashlar, mouldings, etc.

The average thickness of bed is 4 feet, maximum 5 feet.

Working

The stone has to be cut with a wet saw, and the relative cost of working the beds compared with Portland is stated by the proprietors to be -

Buildings In Which Used

Salisbury Cathedral, Tisbury Church, Wardour Castle, Fonthill Abbey, Priory Church, Christ Church; Post Office, Westminster Road, London; Post Office, Exeter; Sorting Post Office, Hampstead; London and County Banks, Hastings and Banbury; restoration of Chichester and Rochester Cathedrals, and of Chapter House, Westminster Abbey; Longford Castle, Wilts; Crewe Hall, near Chester, etc. etc.

Kentish Rag1 is found in the Greensand formation, in a district running through the central part of Kent, about thirty miles long and from four to ten miles broad, including the towns of Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Lenham, etc.