Burghley People

3 Jun 2025

Father and Son: The Burghley Stonemasons

Name: Burghley House
Price range: $

Meet Mick and Ben Teale, the father-and-son duo behind Burghley’s very own stonemasonry team.

First, a little bit about Stonemasonry at Burghley…

Stonemasonry has been a vital part of Burghley House since its original construction in the 16th century, and continues to be a key aspect of its ongoing conservation today. One of England’s grandest surviving Elizabethan houses, Burghley was built by William Cecil, 1st Lord Burghley and Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587.

In its early days, Stonemasonry at Burghley was a display of wealth and power, characterised by bold, sculptural forms and exceptional craftsmanship. Using hand tools such as mallets, chisels, and saws, masons worked with precision to achieve perfect symmetry and intricate detail.

The House is built from a warm, golden limestone sourced from nearby estate-owned quarries, including Barnack, Kings Cliffe, and Collyweston. Its architecture features ornate gables, finials, mullioned windows, balustrades, and turreted roofs — all hallmarks of the Elizabethan style.

From its earliest days to the present, Burghley has employed skilled stonemasons in-house. Today, Mick and Ben Teale carry on this proud tradition, working to restore, conserve, and protect the architectural heritage that defines Burghley and its surrounding estate.

Meet Mick and Ben

Mick Teale (Father) has spent decades working as a stonemason on some of the UK’s most significant historic buildings and monuments, previously with Historic Property Restoration Ltd. He first came to Burghley in 2021 as a contractor during the Lion Bridge Restoration Project — an experience that sparked his love for the estate. He officially joined the team as Burghley’s Head Stonemason in 2023.

Ben Teale (Son) has proudly followed in his father’s footsteps — and then some. Ben began his stonemasonry career at Burghley in 2023 through an apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Moulton College, Northampton. Even as a young boy, Ben was fascinated by his Dad’s work and often helped out where he could.

In his short time at Burghley, Ben has already contributed to major projects, including carving voussoirs (arched stones), restoring the Stable Courtyard arches, and more recently, working on the Tijou Gates archway as part of their restoration.

“At Burghley, we don’t just maintain and preserve the House itself — we also care for the estate’s residential properties. This gives me hands-on experience with a wide range of tasks, blending traditional building techniques with modern conservation methods. I’ve done everything from raking out and repointing stonework with lime mortar to more specialised work like grouting ashlar joints using lime and clay cups. I’m especially grateful for the chance to develop my banker masonry skills and proud to be one of the many generational stonemasons who has worked at Burghley — it’s been an incredible learning journey so far and cannot wait for the years ahead.”

Ben Teale

Mick and Ben Stable Courtyard Web Gallery

Ben’s SkillBuild Journey

Further marking his impressive start in the trade, Ben recently took part in the SkillBuild Regional Qualifiers this May.

SkillBuild is the UK’s largest multi-trade competition, offering construction students, trainees, and apprentices a chance to showcase their skills under pressure. Competing in the stonemasonry category, Ben was given a detailed technical drawing and a block of stone, with six hours to measure, mark, cut, and complete the required piece.

The competition demands incredible accuracy and focus — a true test of both talent and composure.

We’re thrilled to share that Ben won the Regional Qualifiers! The top eight scorers in each category progress to the next round, giving Ben a strong chance of competing in the National Finals later this year.

We’ll keep you updated on Ben’s progress in the competition.

In the Press: Stone Specialist Magazine

Editor and Journalist, Clare Howcutt-Kelly of Stone Specialist, recently visited Mick and Ben for a feature on Stonemasonry at Burghley. The article explores Mick and Ben's craftsmanship and highlights the skilled work being carried out by the father and son duo on the estate.

Read the article