Berry Stonework Ltd is a specialist masonry contractor based in Lavant, near Chichester, West Sussex. Founded by flint mason Duncan Berry, the company undertakes traditional flint walling, stone and brickwork, lime mortar repointing and the repair of historic masonry. Its work ranges from the conservation of older buildings and garden walls to carefully detailed flintwork for contemporary architecture.
Duncan Berry has almost three decades of practical experience in traditional masonry. The company works with homeowners, architects and building contractors across Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and the wider South of England, combining established craft techniques with an understanding of modern construction requirements.
Flint is an important building material in the historic architecture of Sussex and much of southern England. Its successful use depends on careful stone selection, preparation, bedding, jointing and the skilled arrangement of individual flints to achieve durable, visually coherent masonry.
Berry Stonework constructs and repairs a range of traditional flint walling styles, including random flintwork, coursed flint, fully knapped flint, galleted flintwork, decorative panels and walls framed by brick or stone quoins. Hand-knapped flints are used to create crisp corners, reveals and architectural features where precise detailing is required.
The company undertakes both the reinstatement of traditional flintwork and new commissions that draw on regional masonry traditions. Particular attention is given to the colour, size and texture of the flints and the appearance of the mortar joints.
The practice repairs historic flint walls and associated brick and stone features that have deteriorated through age, movement, weather exposure or incompatible previous alterations. Conservation work may include localised dismantling and rebuilding, replacement of damaged flints, restoration of brick detailing and careful integration of new masonry with sound original fabric.
Previous cement-rich rendering or pointing can contribute to trapped moisture, cracking and damage to softer or irregular traditional masonry. Repair proposals therefore require an understanding of the original construction and the behaviour of compatible mortars.
Berry Stonework's published projects demonstrate its experience of restoring exposed historic flint faces, rebuilding architectural openings and incorporating discreet structural reinforcement where required. The emphasis is on retaining historic character while addressing defects in the underlying wall.
Traditional lime mortar is central to much of the company's flint and stonework. Berry Stonework undertakes lime mortar repointing, bedding and masonry repairs using mixes appropriate to the condition and construction of the wall.
Correctly specified lime mortars can accommodate limited movement and permit moisture to evaporate through joints, characteristics that are particularly relevant to many historic masonry structures. The choice of lime, aggregates, joint profiles and finishing methods should respond to the original building materials and local conditions.
Works may include removing defective pointing, preparing joints, making sound localised repairs and finishing new mortar to sit appropriately alongside surviving historic fabric. The company also uses lime mortars in new flint construction, where traditional craftsmanship contributes to the appearance and detailing of contemporary buildings.
Alongside flintwork, Berry Stonework undertakes bespoke brick and natural stone masonry for traditional properties, new buildings and landscaped settings. Projects include boundary walls, retaining walls, steps, terraces, garden features, masonry openings and decorative architectural details.
Brick quoins, arches and window surrounds can be combined with flint to reproduce regional building traditions or provide a considered contemporary interpretation. For historic properties, the careful matching of replacement bricks, stone, flint and mortar is important to preserving the appearance of existing masonry.
Berry Stonework also works with architects and contractors to incorporate traditional flint masonry into new homes and commercial buildings. Carefully laid flint can provide a strong connection with the local landscape while forming a distinctive contrast with modern materials such as glass, timber and metal.
The company's projects include external flint elevations, internal feature walls, fireplaces, architectural panels and precision-detailed window and door surrounds. Such work demonstrates the adaptability of a traditional building craft to modern design without losing the material qualities associated with historic flint construction.
A traditional flint cottage had been covered in heavy sand-and-cement render. Following its removal, the original galleted flintwork and yellow stock-brick details were found to be damaged. Berry Stonework repaired and rebuilt affected sections, reinstated the flint facing, introduced helical-bar reinforcement in weakened areas and reconstructed arches with knapped-flint details. The project illustrates a conservation-led response to inappropriate previous finishes.
Within the historic flint-walled landscape of the Goodwood Estate, Berry Stonework repaired and altered existing galleted flint elevations. The work included carefully matched repairs, new knapped-flint arches and quoins around openings, and specialist masonry for an extension incorporating a contemporary glazed link.
At a former mill in the Cranborne Chase landscape, the company constructed specialist flintwork to complement an adapted historic building and contemporary additions. The work included a double-height knapped-flint entrance wall, hand-detailed corners and an internal flint fireplace, linking new architectural features with local building traditions.
For a contemporary waterfront residence designed by Randell Design and built by New Square Property, Berry Stonework constructed coursed chalk-knapped flint elevations in traditional lime mortar. Hand-knapped flint quoins and a full-height internal flint wall provided precise detailing and a strong visual connection with the coastal setting.
At a contemporary coastal house designed by Simon Gill and built by WSCB, the company delivered hand-knapped flintwork, carefully formed quoins and decorative galleted masonry. Members of its team, Callum Jackson and Sam Davidson, received individual Sussex Heritage Trust Building Crafts Awards in 2024 for their work on the Marine Drive project.
A private landscape project combined natural flint, handmade brickwork, terraces, retaining walls, steps and traditional garden detailing. Flint panels framed with brick and finished with complementary mortar formed a coherent setting for the garden's planting and paths.
Duncan Berry was named Sussex Heritage Trust Person of the Year in 2022 in recognition of his flint masonry craftsmanship and commitment to passing traditional skills to a new generation. His work has included supporting apprentices and developing training in flintwork and lime-based materials.
Berry Stonework's team includes Callum Jackson, whose specialist flintwork has received heritage craft recognition. In February 2026, Sussex Heritage Trust highlighted the development of Callum Jackson and Sam Davidson through college training, employer support and bursary-funded heritage skills courses.
This focus on the transmission of traditional masonry skills is significant for the continued repair of Sussex's historic flint buildings, where the quality of workmanship depends on experience that cannot readily be replaced by standard construction methods.
Berry Stonework works with owners of traditional cottages and historic properties, architects designing in sensitive landscapes, landscape designers and contractors requiring specialist flint or masonry craftsmanship.
Its services are relevant to projects involving the repair of historic walls, lime mortar repointing, careful adaptation of existing buildings and the use of flint within new architecture. Based near Chichester, the company works across West Sussex, East Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey, with other commissions considered by arrangement.
| Services & Expertise | |
|---|---|
| Principal Areas of Work: | Traditional Flint Walling, Historic Flintwork Conservation, Flint Wall Restoration, Knapped Flint Masonry, Galleted Flintwork, Coursed Flint Walling, Random Flint Walling, Lime Mortar Repointing, Historic Masonry Conservation, Traditional Stonework, Heritage Building Restoration, Historic Brickwork Repairs, Architectural Flintwork, Bespoke Flint Construction, Flint and Brick Boundary Walls, Historic Garden Walls, Masonry Repairs, Traditional Building Materials, Contemporary Flint Architecture, Decorative Flint Panels, Architectural Masonry Detailing |
| Capabilities and Specialisms: | Flint Knapping, Hand-Knapped Flint Quoins, Flint Wall Construction, Traditional Flint Bedding, Galleted Flint Repairs, Historic Flint Reinstatement, Lime Mortar Mixing and Application, Traditional Lime Repointing, Flint and Brickwork Restoration, Natural Stone Masonry, Brick Quoins and Arches, Flint Window Reveals, Flint Arch Construction, Decorative Flintwork, Flint Wall Consolidation, Helical Bar Reinforcement, Historic Masonry Repairs, Boundary Wall Restoration, Retaining Wall Construction, Garden Masonry, Stone and Brick Terraces, Architectural Flint Cladding, Flint Feature Walls, Flint Fireplace Construction, Flint Material Selection, Heritage Masonry Craftsmanship |
| Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships : | Sussex Heritage Trust Person of the Year 2022 – Duncan Berry, Sussex Heritage Trust Building Crafts Awards 2024 – Callum Jackson and Sam Davidson, Heritage Skills Training and Apprenticeship Development |
| Accreditation & Membership Details: | Sussex Heritage Trust – Person of the Year 2022 - Duncan Berry received the Sussex Heritage Trust Person of the Year Award in 2022. The award recognised his craftsmanship in traditional flintwork and his contribution to maintaining specialist heritage building skills through training and apprenticeships. Sussex Heritage Trust – Building Crafts Awards 2024 - Callum Jackson and Sam Davidson, working with Berry Stonework, received individual Building Crafts Awards in 2024 for their flint masonry work on the Marine Drive project in West Wittering. The project involved accurately laid hand-knapped flint, traditionally formed corners and carefully detailed architectural openings. Heritage Skills Development - Berry Stonework has been involved in developing traditional flint masonry skills through apprenticeship opportunities and specialist craft training. In February 2026, Sussex Heritage Trust highlighted the training and professional development of Callum Jackson and Sam Davidson, both of whom received bursary support for specialist stonework courses while working for Berry Stonework. These activities reflect the company's contribution to maintaining traditional masonry craftsmanship. |
| Geographical Areas Covered: | West Sussex, East Sussex, Chichester, Lavant, South Downs, Hampshire, Surrey, South of England |
| Contact & Online Presence | |
| Mobile: | +44 (0) 7557 515314 |
| Contact(s): | Duncan Berry – Founder and Director |
| Email: | duncan@berrystonework.co.uk |
| Business Details & Insurance. | |
| Company Trading Name: | Berry Stonework Ltd |
| Company Number: | 09802892 |
