If you’re looking to celebrate in a different way or come up with an original and authentic present for someone, the UK has the goods.
One of the many exciting opportunities is a local Quarry Quest that gives people the opportunity to spend a day enjoying Ham Hill in Somerset. This unusual Christmas present starts with stonemason Saul Harvey giving a personal tour of his family’s working quarry where Hamstone has been quarried for nearly 200 years.
From the quarry, stone is taken to the cutting sheds, where you see it prepared for cills, lintels, corbels and quoin. Then you will have the opportunity to make your own Hamstone plaque, under the supervision of a skilled craftsman.
The afternoon continues with a guided walk on Ham Hill and an opportunity to explore the history, culture and countryside on and around the largest hill fort in the UK.
The experienced guide will bring to life the natural history of the quarry from the early Bronze Age to the current day.
The Norton Sub-Hamdon partnership of John Bailey and Sam Lewis are responsible for pioneering the novel idea. “The idea first came about when Sam and I were chatting about the more unusual things you can do in Somerset and came up with this unique package,? said Bailey. “We wanted to share the really different things you could do in Somerset.
?The stone at the quarry has been used on prestigious buildings such as Montacute House, Barrington Court, Dillington House and Brympton D’evercy and is unique to Ham Hill and nowhere else in the UK.?
Source: This is Somerset