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Importing Wikidata short description: "Sedimentary sandstone conglomerate formed during the Cretaceous period" |
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'''Carrstone''' (or '''carstone''', also known as '''Silsoe''', '''heathstone''', '''ironstone''' or '''gingerbread''') is a sedimentary [[sandstone]] conglomerate formed during the [[Cretaceous period]]. It varies in colour from light to dark rusty ginger. Used as a building stone it can be found in [[Bedfordshire]], [[Cambridgeshire]] and extensively in the historic buildings of northwest [[Norfolk]].<ref>University of Southampton Archaeology, Stone in Archaeology Database.</ref><ref>Messent, C. W. J, Rev. 1967, ''A Thousand Years of Norfolk Carstone 967–1967'', Fletcher & Sons.</ref>
Carrstone can vary in quality depending on factors such as the degree of [[iron oxide]] present, and sufficient pressure to form the matrix. Carrstone can also phase into [[Puddingstone (rock)|puddingstone]], [[ferricrete]] and silver carr. Because of its variations it does not lend itself to carving or finer work.<ref>Clifton-Taylor A., & Simmons, J. 1987. ''The Pattern of English Building''</ref> Carrstonework can be seen in forms such as: random carrstone, coursed carrstone, ashlared carrstone, all with, or without, [[galleting]]. Other patterns of use are: rough carrstone sipps (slips, shale or brickettes) and cut carrstone sipps, both used in masonry fields between brickwork quoins.<ref>Hart, Stephen. 2008, ''Flint Flushwork, a Medieval Masonry Art'', p. 25, Boyden Press.</ref>
[[File:Carrstone 006.JPG|thumb|Carrstone used in construction]]
Cut carrstone sipps or shales are used extensively at [[Sandringham House]] on the main building and the stables block. Other examples of carrstone work can be found on [[St Mary's Church, Barton Bendish]] as well as many other parish churches in the region.<ref>Allen, R. L, 2004, ''Carrstone in Norfolk Buildings'', Archaeopress.</ref> [[Hunstanton]] and [[Wolferton]] feature some interesting examples along with the 'Gingerbread Town' of [[Downham Market]], notably the [[Grade II listed]] [[Downham Market railway station]].
Due to easy access to river transport, Carrstone can occasionally be found outside this region in such places as [[Great Bentley]] Church, [[Colchester]], [[Essex]].
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