The craft of working with natural stone is generally described as stonemasonry and has its roots in early civilisations throughout the world.  The creative crafting of  natural stone has resulted in an array of remarkable historical and contemporary stone sculptures, stone buildings and notable stone structures.

Natural stones has been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures. Famous products of stonemasonry include the Taj Mahal, Cusco's Incan Wall, Easter Island's statues, the Egyptian Pyramids, Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Tihuanaco, Tenochtitlan, Persepolis, the Parthenon, Stonehenge, and Chartres Cathedral.

A range of interesting articles on stone masonry structures , along with many more rqually interesting material can br found at

A Bowland Sandstone Millwheel, buff colour, with 16 inch diameter.Bespoke, hand - carved Millwheels to order - a wide range of sizes and stone types .

Stonemasonry in its strictest sense is different from dry stone walling in that it is a craft of physically shaping of stone from rough, natural stone of a variety of rock types into aacurate specified shapes using stone tools. Some of these natural stone shapes are quite complex, whilst others are simple in their form.  The completed shapes of natural stone are frequently pieced together to form stone structures.  Stone shapes can be carved and tooled to produce stone artefacts.

Stone is removed from the quarry and historically  dressing of stone was undertaken by a Banker Mason; most of this type of work is now undertaken through the use of machinery - diamond and carborundum saws, such as frame saws, circular saws, rubbing bed and planing and moulding machines.

There are certain dressed stone surface finish operations that can only be undertaken by hand - by using hand tools to hand dress the stone; some examples being:  punched, picked, tooled and furrowed finishes.  

With many years experience in traditional stonemasonry, Drystone Craft international ^TM offers exceptional stone craftsmanship to customers throughout the UK and abroad.  Our Stonemasons are highly skilled craftspersons, either having lengthy time service over many years and/ or have undergone formal training in stonemasonry within the UK.

Heritage Work. Completed replacement Commemorative Centenary Stone Plaque. A wide range of carvings and lettering in stone are available to order, including the Lancashire Rose in Stone.

Supply of Mullions and Jambs

We provide the general public with high quality stone masonry services, offering an outstanding level of traditional hand carved stone craftsmanship. Our friendly staff ensure clients receive a sensitive approach to designing a headstone memorials, or similarly a stone memorial plaque, sign in stone or stone house nameplate. The service is designed to be affordable and reliable every time.

A memorial stone of local Shist rock to a climber of Ben Lomond

We have an ever expanding customer base, located in and around Lancashire, Manchester, and further afield.  Our clients include councils, architects, businesses and the general public. We produce a wide range of bespoke stone products that are tailored to  meet exacting requirements and we offer traditional hand carving in stone, whether this be stone lettering or stone sculptures.

A stone lettering service for most types of stone - bespoke stone lettered plaques and stone nameplates, for buildings and for insertion into existing or new stone walls are available to order.

Bespoke Gritstone Stone Gateway Pillars with Hand Carved Lettering

Our stonemasons in Lancashire are involved in restoring and repairing old buildings. They also work on new projects such as stone cladding of office blocks and other buildings.

Stonemasonry is a traditional skill that is in increasing demand due to the large amount of stonework in the UK. Castles and cathedrals, historic houses and ancient monuments are some examples that Drystone Craft international ^TM have been contracted to restore.

Contact us for more information on your stonemasonry requirements.

...Our stonemason services are available in Preston, Lancashire, the UK and wider Europe.  Our regional stonework stonemason services are:  stonemason in preston, stonemason in lancashire, stonemason in Lancaster, stonemason in Blackburn, stonemason in Bolton, stonemason in Padiham, Stonemason in Burnley, Stonemason in Clitheroe, stonemason in Chorley ...