History

It is believed the Huntsmans name dates back to pre enclosure days when the area where the current plant sits was believed to be known as the Huntsmans or Yard of the Game keeper. It is thought that this then became Huntsmans Barn farm from whence the company derives its name.

However, even before that, quarrying at Naunton and Eyeford was first mentioned in the Doomsday book, principally for roofing slate and building stone. The slate market reached its zenith during the mid 19th century supplying slates and walling to places such as Oxford and London, before cheaper Welsh slate found its way to markets with the advent of the railways.

The focus changed in the 1920s when the unique frost resistance of this particular pocket of Jurassic limestone earned a new reputation as a high quality aggregate. In those days, the rock was worked by hand and transported by horse and cart.

The advent of mechanical power brought a steady expansion of the operation, and in 1936 Huntsmans Quarries became a private limited company. An updated crushing and screening plant was added in the 1960s as the quarry responded to the demand for aggregate for the M4 and M5 motorways in particular. Investment has continued in more recent years as the operation has met increasingly demanding product and environmental specifications.