Bricks were introduced to Britain by the Romans and reintroduced by Flemish craftsmen in the middle ages. Until the early nineteenth century they were made in numerous small brickyards supplying local needs, but eventually increasing demand led to the invention of improved brickmaking machines and kilns. This book gives an insight into the surprising variety of bricks, as well as a brief history of brickmaking, descriptions of hand and machine moulding, drying, the use of kilns and firing. Despite competition from newer materials, brick still holds its own as a facing material and traditional methods still survive in the smaller yards.

1) Classification of bricks
2) The geology of brick clays
3) Clay winning and preparation
4) Moulding
5) Drying
6) Firing
7) Calcium silicate bricks
8) Transport
9) The brick itself
10) Further reading
11) Places to visit