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6 July 2023
How we work with the National Trust
When it comes to choosing outdoor paving, homeowners are increasingly looking for options that are not only attractive and durable, but also environmentally responsible. For our National Trust Ranges to be approved by the National Trust, we have to meet a strict set of criteria to evaluate whether our products are sustainably produced and socially responsible. Heres how we work with the National Trust...
Westminster Stone’s Credentials
At Westminster Stone, we have been working with the National Trust since 2011 as one of their Licensees. We were chosen to produce a range of paving products on their behalf, inspired by the houses and gardens within their care. The National Trust work with us for the following reasons:
Westminster Stone is a British manufacturer, distributor and retailer (based in Shropshire) and we work to strict ethical guidelines. Our Stonecast paving products are hand-crafted using traditional wet-cast methods, using locally sourced raw materials.
Stonecast paving products are world-renowned for their quality and meticulous attention to detail. We use sourced originals to make our own moulds, producing authentic paving with a natural texture and character which adds instant maturity to any setting.
Westminster Stone is a member of PlanetMark with a plan to be carbon neutral by 2040 and a commitment to reduce our carbon liability by 10% each year. We have already reduced our single-use plastic by 30% and all of our pallets are recyclable. We have initiatives in place for a wind turbine, rainwater harvesting and single-use plastic abandonment.
Overseas Suppliers
More recently, we have added two new ranges which introduce Italian Porcelain and Natural Stone to the Collection for the first time. To be able to import these products, we have to substantiate the procurement supply chain to ensure that they meet International Standards on modern slavery, workforce conditions and the carbon impact of newly quarried stone.
The companies that we work with overseas all meet the Ethical Trading Initiative criteria which ensures compliance with international labour standards. They also hold an IS09001 certificate for Quality Management Standards.
Product Selection
Creating a new range of National Trust paving is a long process. We do substantial research to find inspiring properties and gardens which we feel can translate to a meaningful home or commercial market.
We then create hand-made masters directly from real reclaimed tiles or flagstones, which we use to make intricate moulds which offer the right character, size and texture to faithfully replicate paving that is reminiscent of that location and period.
In the case of natural stone and porcelain products which we have introduced as part of our new Coastal Cottage and Townhouse ranges, we considered many different materials, colours and patina markings to find products which would assimilate naturally into a cottage or townhouse garden.
We then submit detailed proposals to the National Trust with our ideas for new product ranges, our inspirations and samples and they in turn contact the properties in question to ensure that the Ranges we produce will enhance the Trust’s work.
10% of all sales of the National Trust Paving Collection is paid in royalties to continue their pledge to keep these beautiful properties and vast swathes of our coastline protected, for everyone for ever.
Explore our National Trust Paving Collection
Featuring six distinct ranges inspired by traditional National Trust properties and gardens across the country, the collection comprises paving, flagstones and landscaping products of unrivalled quality and character. This unique collection offers discerning homeowners paving and flagstones that reflect the best of our nation’s landscape heritage.
