Over 40 members of Cartmel Peninsula Local History Society were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a Cumbrian quarry.
Kirkby Slate Quarry in South Cumbria is England’s largest slate quarry, and is operated by Burlington Stone.
The visit offered a rare glimpse into the geological and industrial processes behind Burlington Blue Grey slate.
Burlington Stone has run the quarry for over 180 years. It lies within the ancient rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, formed over 300 million years ago during a period of intense geological activity.
Travelling in specialist vehicles, members were transported deep into the working quarry, where deputy quarry manager Thomas Rotherham explained about the formation of the slate and demonstrated how stone was extracted.
Visitors were shown how large blocks, or ‘clogs’ – each weighing several tonnes – were carefully removed from the rock face using expert techniques passed down through generations, before being transported to the surface where they are sawn and processed for use in a wide range of architectural, landscaping, and building applications.
Roofing supervisor Christian Peterson provided a tour of Burlington’s processing facilities where members saw the traditional craft of riving, a centuries-old technique that splits the slate along its natural grain using only a chisel and hammer.
The process is used to create Kirkby Blue roofing slates, renowned for their durability and aesthetic beauty.
The slates are then dressed and finished, ensuring the quality expected for use in heritage buildings and prestige projects across the UK and beyond.
The history of slate quarrying in Kirkby dates back to at least the 17th century, but it was in the 19th century that Burlington Stone became a household name, supplying stone for Victorian buildings, railway stations, and country estates.
Rose Clark, the society member who organised the trip, said: “The visit was both highly informative and quite spectacular. We were given privileged access to areas not normally open to the public and came away with a far greater appreciation of the natural and human history that shapes this iconic Cumbrian material.
“It’s a real eye-opener to witness the craft, skill and geological wonder behind the slate we see on roofs, walls and footpaths all over the Lake District.”
