The fireplace on the west wall is a fine example of a marble. In this country stone masons call a limestone which takes a polish a marble but this is not scientific accuracy but colloquial use. However this is an imported red marble possibly from Italy. It shows good calcite veining and secondary calcite (CaCO₃) infilling of dissolved shell material. The veining occurred after the deposition and alteration of the rock, as it cuts through original structures. This can be used as a relative dating technique. The hearth of the fireplace is a local possibly Austwick sandstone of Silurian age. Have a look at the hearths of all the fireplaces in all the rooms. Are they the same material?

Dining Room Fireplace

Calcite Veining

Exit the Dining Room and turn immediately left into the Paul Holmes Library.