Bilsthorpe
St Margaret

Stonework

Tower

The very weathered, ashlar stone blocks of the lower part of the tower consist of fine grained, pale red sandstone, with a slightly dolomitic, carbonate cement. The lithology is typical of a source in the Permian Cadeby Formation quarries at Mansfield - the stone is commonly known as Red Mansfield Stone. The use of Red Mansfield Stone at such an early date in the lower tower is comparatively unusual in the area. The upper section of the tower has been restored in 19th century using dressed blocks of pale yellow Mansfield Stone (sometimes termed Mansfield White Stone) from the Permian Cadeby Formation) again sourced from quarries in the Mansfield area. This stone is sandy dolomitic limestone, commonly with thin green -coloured clay seams crossing its fabric. The window moulding was originally of pale yellow Mansfield Stone but has been repaired with ooidal and shelly Lincolnshire Limestone (Ancaster Stone).

North side of aisle and chancel

Original Red Mansfield sandstone ashlar as in tower randomly mixed with yellow Mansfield Stone, the latter particularly evident in the upper wall fabric. The later replacement paler red sandstone blocks are still likely to be Red Mansfield quarried at a much later date and somewhat paler in colour than the original Red Mansfield stone.

The surviving remnants of the original stone window mouldings and door surrounds throughout the church also consist of carved Mansfield White Stone. Where there have been later repairs or replacements made to this carved stone work it is usually in pale yellow, shelly and ooidal Lincolnshire Limestone (Ancaster Stone).

The later extension also consist of a Red and White Mansfield stone mix, the door moulding is, however, ooidal and bioclastic Lincolnshire Limestone (Middle Jurassic).

East end and chancel window

Lancet window moulding of carved Red Mansfield Stone with blockwork of squared pale yellow Mansfield Stone - sandy dolomitic limestone.

South side chancel and nave

Red and yellow, fine dolomitic sandstone ashlar (Mansfield White) with window mouldings, footings and butresses of yellow Mansfield Stone (in part a more recent repair using Mansfield Stone with obvious green clay seams). The 19th century transept is constructed of fine grained red sandstone (Mansfield Stone) ashlar block.

Some of the failing red sandstone in the lower blockwork around the porch and transept is coarser grained character and is a probably a different red sandstone perhaps obtained for modern repair at some point.