Stone is very important in Japanese garden design. The full effect can be seen in the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, Kensington, involving large water-worn blocks of Highland Gneiss, well rounded stones from a Scottish beach, and fossiliferous limestone flags.

In Manchester, right next to the Manchester Museum on the Oxford Road, there is a grouping of stones representing some of the best known rock types of the North of England. Most are Monoliths or blocks taken from demolished buildings. It too is known as The Geological Garden' and is much visited by school parties coming to the Museum.

At the south end of Battersea Bridge, the company QVC catch the the attention with a 15 tonne block of Irish Gneiss set in front of their headquarters, Marco Polo House.

Outside the windows of the Festival Hall resaurant, under the south span of Hunger-ford Bridge, is the bottom millstone from Mrs Coade's Artificial Stone Manufactory which once stood nearby. It is a piece of rough-surfaced Cornish Granite which was used to grind the kaolin and quart/, or glass, into a stiff paste. This was moulded into the keystones and other decorative features to be seen in 18th century buildings and gardens. Other cities and towns may boast relics of the stone trade which could also be exhibited.

Atlantic (sometimes called Neptune) made of Coade Stone.
Photographed at Clifton Nurseries