11/07/2025
Yesterday we were invited to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Forterra’s Kings D**e Brickworks – the proud home of the Original London Brick.
As an Artist who solely uses the London Brick as a canvas, I was intrigued to discover the entire brick making process from start to finish and it didn’t disappoint.
Kings D**e has been continuously producing bricks since June 24, 1969, when it first opened under the London Brick Company. At launch, it produced 1.25 million bricks a week, and that output doubled just two years later with the addition of a second kiln. Forterra took over the site in 1984 and the process and raw materials have remained largely unchanged.
Today, the site features four kilns and three towering chimneys – one reaching 400 metres, making it among the tallest in Europe and a defining feature of the landscape.
The bricks are crafted from Lower Oxford Clay, a Jurassic-era material sourced directly from the nearby Quarry. Brickmaking has deep roots in the Whittlesey area, going back to the 1800s when James McCallum Craig bought Fletton Lodge and brick making first began.
As Andrew Mortlock, the resident archivist of 50 years puts it, “Kings D**e is truly special – the only place still making the original London Brick, and we hope that continues for many years.”
Kings D**e stands as a symbol of tradition and quality, where Forterra exclusively manufactures the renowned London Brick. Known for its durability and sustainability, it has remained popular for more than 140 years. Its unique design includes a “frog” – a hollow that helps the brick fire faster and more evenly, improving its environmental performance and our favourite feature of the London Brick when creating unique and iconic artwork.
Thank you to the team at and for an insightful and memorable experience - one we will treasure and honour each time we create our artwork! 🧱
