Hard Rock, Soft Rock and a trace of Heavy Metal

Join facilitator Bob Leppard on a guided walking tour of the building stones and architecture of the area around Piccadilly, London. The tour commences outside the Geological Society of London in Piccadilly and continues along St James’s Street, Pall Mall and Lower Regent Street before returning to the Geological Society. The itinerary includes 40+ ‘outcrops’ and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Although Portland Stone is the dominant building material there are numerous granites and metamorphic rocks to admire. Not only will you learn about the building materials and the architects who designed them but you will also hear interesting tales about some of their occupants.

Here’s what one previous delegate had to say about the event:

“Not only was the course extremely informative geologically but it had the added bonus of Bob’s insights into the Georgian and Victorian history and the architecture of St James’s, London.  There were many interesting anecdotes about Lobb’s, shoemakers to many famous people including George Bernard Shaw, and where the first bowler hats were made for a Mr. Coke. Berry Brothers wine merchants which was once a grocers and where people went to get weighed in the absence of personal bathroom scales circa 1698, and the building which was the Texas Embassy when Texas was a sovereign state (1836-1846).   Particularly interesting was Schomberg House once resided in by Gainsborough.  On the top of this building once stood the “celestial bedroom” but to find out more you need to go on the trip.”

To access member-only events or to benefit from the reduced member fees please visit https://www.ges-gb.org.uk/membership/ to find out how to become a PESGB member.

Please note this course may not go ahead subject to booking numbers

Bob Leppard began his career working for Robertson Research International Ltd. After moving on to work for Trafalgar House Oil and Gas Ltd and Stratigraphic Services International he started his own consultancy Leppard Sedimentology in 1989. Following these successful 29 years he finally retired in 2018. His specialty subjects include core description and interpretation of sandstones working worldwide, focused on the UK, Norway and Vietnam. Although he is no longer involved in running his own business, he often returns to runs courses for companies either after work or as part of a team-building day.

Bob has been running this particular field trip for approximately 35 years. During that time has seen many landmark buildings either demolished or refurbished in some way!

In line with current guidance all participants will be asked to socially distance from each other. This course will take place outside and we welcome any participants to wear face coverings as well as exercising frequent hand washing. Read more about the current guidelines here