Blue Lias Building Stone

Blue Lias is a distinctive, fine-grained sedimentary limestone, quarried primarily in Somerset and parts of the South West. It gets its name from the bluish-grey colour of the stone and the layered structure of lime and clay bands (lias).

Key Characteristics

• Colour: Blue-grey when freshly split, often weathers to a softer grey or pale tone.

• Texture: Fine and even-grained, with a dense, compact structure.

• Natural Fossils: Many pieces feature visible ammonites and other fossil imprints, especially in larger or rougher cuts.

• Local Material: Blue Lias has been used for centuries across Somerset and the surrounding counties in walls, churches, cottages, and pavements.

Traditional Uses

• Boundary and retaining walls

• Garden features and rockeries

• Lime mortars (when burnt and slaked)

• Flooring and paving (when cut and dressed)

• Cladding and restoration work

Why Choose Blue Lias?

• Hard-wearing and durable, suitable for exposed conditions

• Attractive natural colour that blends well with older or period buildings

• Sourced locally – a sustainable option for traditional builds and conservation work

• Fossil detail adds charm and individuality