Founded in 1853, Burslem has over 160 years of experience in creating, constructing and restoring memorials around Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex. With its rich heritage of commissioning both individual tributes and public monuments Burslem uses the experience gained over the years to offer an unparalleled quality of finished product and extremely high level of customer care.
Burslem were the first Memorial Masons in the region to achieve accreditation to BRAMM British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons) in 2006.
We hold a healthy stock of memorial stones as well as samples and raw materials from which bespoke memorials can be produced.
Should you require something a little different we can offer unique materials as well as large and complex designs and, where necessary, arrange and accompany clients on quarry visits to enable selection of the exact block required.
We carry out a considerable number of restoration projects to public monuments each year and our knowledge of stones used in the original construction and their availability, or that of acceptable alternative materials where quarries are exhausted, is invaluable for clients undertaking such projects.
Burslem has significant experience in the identification, sourcing and selection of natural stone for both private memorials and public monuments. Following many years in the industry we are well acquainted with quarries and primary masonry producers in both the UK and Europe as well as having a wealth of contacts to source materials from further afield.
Our small friendly team is based at our accessible showroom and workshop in Frant near Tunbridge Wells, with plenty of parking space and no busy town centre traffic. Our showroom is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Our beautiful, rural location in East Sussex is easily reached from Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Crowborough and the surrounding villages.
Our showroom is open by appointment, Monday-Friday. Please call 01892 750120 to make an appointment.
Contact us today to discuss your requirements with a member of our team.
Burslem was founded by Thomas Burslem in 1853 and incorporated in 1880.
In its early years Burslem was involved in the construction of many fine sandstone houses and churches in the Kent and East Sussex area.
After WWI Burslem’s focus changed dramatically, fulfilling the requirement for the great number of war memorials that were needed both at home and abroad. During this time the company provided tens of thousands of individual memorials which were hand carved and engraved from Portland Stone.
This period saw a very large expansion of the business and in 1920 Burslem had a large frame-saw erected thus doing away with the tedious process of hand-sawing the stone. Three lorries were purchased (one of which was the first 6 wheeled lorry in Tunbridge Wells) and the labour force increased to 130 men.
After the Second World War Burslem was kept busy with the back-log of memorial work in the local area, including many additional panels and inscriptions along with producing war memorials and general restoration work to repair war damage.
The restoration of old buildings was becoming increasingly ‘in vogue’ and much of Burslem’s work was in this area.
The Burslem family maintained an active interest in the ownership and management of the business and continued their focus on new stone buildings and memorials throughout the 20th Century.
During the 1970s and 1980s Burslem carried out a huge amount of restoration and building work to local churches, banks, schools and castles including Hever Castle and Tonbridge School.
In more recent years the focus has become solely on memorial masonry, using the experience gained over the years to provide a service of unparalleled dedication.
Burslem’s stonemasons began to encompass both the old and new by continuing to offer commissions for headstones, work closely with funeral directors and working on projects predominantly in Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex.
Today Burslem continues to focus on the commissioning and restoration of memorials for churchyards, cemeteries, war memorials and public monuments.
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