The Building Stones of Leicester

Excursion 7th June 2006

On the pleasant, dry evening of  June 7th, some 15 members plus leader Dr Albert Horton assembled for a walk around the streets of Leicester in order to study the natural stone used in the buildings of the city. I think all of us were surprised by the great diversity of stones employed, from relatively humble local sandstones to the most glorious granites. All three major divisions of rocks were found – sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. We met outside the former police headquarters on Charles Street and made this our first observation point. The headquarters is faced with two contrasting types of Portland Stone, a material which was to turn up in many other buildings. We moved off down Charles Street to examine office and shop fascias dressed in various limestones, marbles and granites.  We moved from there on an exploration of most of the major and some of the minor throughfares in the city, pausing for discussion and to take photographs at various points. One of these was a group shot in front of the fountain in Town Hall Square, where we admired the large phenocrysts in the granite of the fountain surrounds. Towards the end of our walk we found ourselves outside a branch of a well known chain of burger bars and were amazed to find the building faced with the most beautiful travertine limestone.

(Above) Examples of 4 limestone types used in buildings in Leicester. Clockwise from top left: oncolitic limestone with stylolites, very ornate banded (algal?) limestone, travertine, pale limestone with extensive burrow systems. (photos Andrew Swift, Joanne Norris)

(Left) The party examining a building on Lee Circle faced with very fossiliferous Carboniferous Limestone (photo Joanne Norris)

(Right) The party at the fountain in Town Hall Square. L to R: Dennis Gamble, Helen Jones, David Boynton, Alan Dearden, Helen Boynton, leader Albert Horton, Peter Kelly, Mark Evans, Kay Hawkins, Mike Howe, John Dickinson, Joanne Norris, Margaret East, Alan Eames, Sylvia Gibson, Andrew Swift (photo Andrew Swift)

Despite the fact that much research has been undertaken over the years into Leicester’s building stones, it was clear that much more remains to be discovered and elucidated. At several points the debate between members and the leader was very stimulating and constructive. We finished a most enjoyable evening by thanking Dr Horton, who led us enthusiastically and knowledgeably.

Andrew Swift and Helen Jones