Roofing
Ladycross stone is level bedded. A standstone soft enough to work when first quarried and then starts to harden, making it very durable. The roofs of a nearby village, Blanchland, were slated with this stone circa 1740 and are still there to be seen today. There are around 60 houses, an Abbey, The Lored Crewe Arms hotel and many farm buildings besides.
This durability has not gone unnoticed. English Heritage now recommends Ladycross stone for listed buildings in many parts of Britain. One of the last hand worked quarries in Britain, Ladycross produces stone for slates and flagstones for restoration work in cathedrals from Durham to Canterbury. This is not to say that all Ladycross stone is used for old buildings. 50% goes for new build - patios and interior floors, flags and roof slates for prestigious houses like a recently completed £6m house.
Ladycross Quarry has been worked for around 300 years, perfecting the best ways to cut, handle and transport stone slates. Grading and sorting to course at the quarry before it is transported saves money and man hours on site.