Helmdon

Helmdon Stone is a pale limestone of the Middle Jurassic Taynton Limestone Formation. It is a freestone, i.e. it can be sawn in any direction to make ashlar. The quarries were on the north side of the Tove Valley, on the low ridge just beyond the northern edge of the village. There were either side of the minor roads to Weston and Sulgrave, extending about 1000 yd east–west from just east of the footpath to Weston Farm to the boundary of what became the course of the Great Central Main Line. Stone may have been quarried in the parish since the late 13th century. Finely-carved stone used to build the Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone (started 1291) and to face the west front of the priory church…