The much-loved golden limestone from Ham Hill in Somerset has gone into many famous buildings such as Sherborne Abbey, Montacute House and numerous other National Trust properties. But this book goes beyond familiar architectural history and far beyond Ham Hill. It describes the complex but fascinating geology of building stones in easily understood terms; the traditional use of Ham Hill Stone through much of Wessex and the South West; and practical problems of transportation before the railways allowed it to travel further afield. Important conservation issues and the future of the quarries complete this lavishly illustrated study.