Father and Son: The Burghley Stonemasons
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.”
Watch: ITV interview with Mick and Ben
In this recent ITV Calendar interview Mick and Ben discuss key estate projects, day-to-day work and the importance of their craft.
Ben’s SkillBuild Journey 2026
Since we first shared Ben’s story, he has continued to go from strength to strength.
After impressing in the SkillBuild Regional Qualifiers, Ben has now secured a place in the SkillBuild 2026 National Finals, which will take place this November.
SkillBuild is the UK’s largest multi-trade competition, giving construction students, trainees and apprentices the opportunity to demonstrate their skills under pressure. Reaching the National Finals is a significant achievement and reflects Ben’s growing reputation within the trade.
Across a range of conservation projects on the Burghley Estate, Ben continues to put into practice his blend of traditional stonemasonry skills and modern building techniques, making SkillBuild the perfect platform to showcase his craftsmanship on the national stage.
Adding to an already impressive year, Ben has also been named Apprentice of the Year at Moulton College, recognising his continued dedication to developing his skills both on site and through his studies.
We look forward to following Ben’s progress in the National Finals and wish him every success in the competition.
