Over the past 8 years we have invested in significant capital projects at Hartham Park to improve the day to day operations and environment underground. We have purchased state-of-the-art equipment such as electrically powered Fantini chain saws, constructed a new drive-in drive-out shaft, and developed innovative quarrying techniques specific to Hartham Park. Our operations and processes ensure the block extraction is sustainable and efficient; ensuring consistency and quality Hartham Park Bath Stone is available for decades to come.

image: aerial view of quarry & new drive-in-drive-out shaft

Our quarry team has decades of experience working at Hartham Park; Bath Stone is in their blood. Their specialist knowledge of the stone beds and unique extraction methods, developed by the team, ensures the on-going supply of high-quality Bath Stone blocks. Our operations are highly regulated by the HM Inspectorate of Mines; ensuring that we adhere to the latest legislation and safety requirements.

image: our team at Hartham Park

‍

The historic seam of Hartham Park is located 20m underground with a network of over 235km of tunnels. We employ a pillar and stall method of extraction; stone is cut from the quarry face using the Fantini chain saw which has a 1.7m blade with tungsten teeth. The stone is cut horizontally and then vertically from the working face before blocks are extracted and pillars of stone are left in situ to act as roof support.

image: Fantini & operator at Hartham Park

‍

Bath Stone blocks, up to 10 tonnes, are removed to be trimmed, cleaned, and stored underground to season, which is a process to reduce quarry sap and harden the newly extracted stone. Seasoned blocks are then winched to the surface for further quality control – every block is visually inspected and we still use the age-old traditional method of ringing the stone to check for faults. We then measure, tag and record every block of bath stone before adding to stock above ground or for customer orders.

image: visually inspecting & measuring the stone

Hartham Park operates all year, whatever the weather. Located in Corsham we have multiple access routes, suitable for vehicles of all sizes, and with good motorway links, we can service the entire UK with ease.