Sandstones from the Upper Greensand have been used as building stone since at least
Roman times.
Reigate Stone was
mined from the Upper Greensand in north east
Surrey throughout the
Middle Ages and
early modern period, forming the most important source of
freestone in
Medieval London. Other building stones quarried from the Upper Greensand in the county include Salcombe Stone from near the border with Somerset, and the Green Glauconitic Sandstone from the western side of the
Blackdown Hills. Hurdcott Stone was quarried in
Wiltshire and used particularly in
Mere and Shaftesbury. It is currently being produced from a quarry at
Barford St Martin. Potterne Stone is quarried near
Potterne and used there and in the
Vale of Pewsey. On the
Isle of Wight the Upper Greensand has been quarried since Roman times, including Ventnor Stone near
Ventnor, with varieties Green Ventnor Stone and Ventnor Foxstone, and Bonchurch Stone only found at
Bonchurch.
Chert from the top of the formation has also been used as a building stone since the 17th century. In
West Sussex and
Hampshire,
Malmstone was quarried and used in buildings such as
Winchester Castle and
Amberley Castle. In
East Sussex, Eastbourne Sandstone was quarried from the
foreshore at
Eastbourne, and used in buildings in the town such as the church of St Mary the Virgin. ==References==