IT'S easy to forget on a trip to the capital that beyond the throng of tourists clamouring to take photos, lies a little bit of Dorset.

Well actually, a large bit.

St Paul's Cathedral, the Horse Guards, the Cenotaph - these iconic buildings and monuments are all made out of Portland stone.

It's hard to believe that this tiny island, less than six square miles in extent, is such a memorable feature in our nation's capital - 120 miles to the north east.

Author Gill Hackman has examined Portland's legacy in full in her book Stone to Build London.

She writes: "Visitors to London cannot miss Portland stone buildings for the city is the best place in the world to see them.

"They shine white in the sunshine; they may glow against a dark sky, or almost glisten under floodlights at night."

Gill, who is based in Kent and Suffolk, spent 40 years working in central London as a civil servant.

Her interest in Portland comes from her grandmother growing up on the island.

Gill's grandmother's forebears were the Pearce and Flew families who were involved in quarrying.

In her book, Gill has explored how and why Portland stone came to do so much for the appearance of London and has looked at the stone industry and quarrymen who made the buildings possible.

Unfortunately a lot of information on Portland quarrying was lost in 1943, Gill said, when a large part of the island's archives were given to a wartime salvage drive.

Gill writes: "It is not clear when Portland stone first came to London, although the stone has been used locally in Dorset."

Portland stone was first used in London during the fourteenth century. It was used at Westminster in 1347 and the foundations of a gateway at the Tower of London.

Gill writes: "It seems likely that the use of Portland stone in London briefly during the fourteenth century was linked to the reign of Edward III.

"He was uncompromising when local sheriffs had difficulty raising revenues, so it is possible that Portland stone came to him as payment of taxes."

Fast forward to the early seventeenth century and the use of Portland stone really picked up.

One of the earliest remaining buildings in London using Portland stone is the Queen's House at Greenwich. It was built for James I's wife, Queen Anne of Denmark.

Following a fire, the Banqueting House in Whitehall was rebuilt between 1619 and 1622 with Portland stone used for ornamental details and the rails and balustrade around the top of the building.

The stone was used in another iconic building from 1625 to 1626 - the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral after it was in a poor state of repair.

It was after 1666 - the Great Fire of London - when Portland stone played a key role in the rebuilding of the capital.

Gill writes: "Portland stone altered the face of London. The impact on the island's stone industry was immense.

"Portland stone was used to rebuild much of the City of London, including St Paul's Cathedral and many of the city churches.

"The increased quantities of stone needed led to changes in the way of life on the island."

Back on Portland, problems with the supply of stone occurred during the building of St Paul's Cathedral.

This was because many Portlanders were concerned about tenants' right to quarry on the commons and, as agreed by King Charles IIin 1665, to receive duty of 6d per ton paid on any stone quarried from the commons and exported from the island.

*Next week we shall continue to look at the history of Portland stone in London and discover how Portland met increased demands.

Stone to Build London is available from Folly Books for £24.99 with free postage and packaging. See follybooks.co.uk or call 01225 859689.

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e: joanna.davis

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