Our story

Keymer’s ambition is to inspire leading architects and homeowners like you, who want to make their mark, by providing the highest quality, premium handmade British roof tiles.

Founded in 1588, we’re one of the oldest established roofing brands in the UK and have become synonymous with quality, expert craftmanship and creativity. Our use of local, rich Wealden clay produces award winning authentic roof tiles in unique warm colours and textures, providing you with renowned durability.

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Keymer’s ambition is to inspire leading architects and homeowners like you, who want to make their mark, by providing the highest quality, premium handmade British roof tiles.

Now based in Ewhurst, Surrey and owned by wienerberger, the leading supplier of wall, roof and landscaping solutions, we continue our uncompromised artisan approach to manufacturing, using the same materials and methods as we did all those years ago.

We know the way our roof tiles are made is important to you. We continue to invest in modern progressive techniques, strengthening our commitment to fuel efficiency and a safe working environment whilst passionate about maintaining the professional skills from the past to ensure our roof tiles boast the premium quality and performance they’ve become famous for.

We’re entering a new era for Keymer – building on our great heritage we’re creating a new British history, delivering prestige roof tiles and an unrivalled specification service to both your heritage and contemporary buildings – standing out in marketplace being saturated by cheaper and less authentic imports.

We understand you’re looking to make history with your designs – whether it’s a modern development looking for that prestige feel or a restoration bringing a building back to its former glory, Keymer is your expert partner who can help make that happen.

Quality

Craftsmanship

Creativity

Sustainability

Transparency

Authenticity

Our history

History in the making

Keymer have been crafting beautiful handmade tiles for over 400 years. Keymer Brick & Tile Company evolved from the former Ditchling Potteries, a collection of various works including Dunstalls Farm. One of the farm’s owners was John Pomfrey, who was a renowned brickmaker in Keymer in 1588.

When the Ditchling Common site was sold, having exhausted its supply of clay, production was moved to a 50-acre site on Nye Road over a period of 80 years between 1860 and 1940.

Towards the end of the 1800s, the Nye Road works were the largest in the south of England, employing 300 workers. At the turn of the century, it was famous for the manufacture of red terracotta ware – winning awards in London in 1862 and Philadelphia in 1876. This bespoke product was used throughout the British Isles and, largely due to its early success, was re-introduced by the modern-day Keymer in the 1990s.

An evolving craft

In the early days, a considerable number of Keymer workers lived in cottages on site. Further cottages were built that housed brick making tables on the ground floor with living quarters upstairs. These were commonly known as birdcages.

The site also had many tall brick chimneys, which have since been demolished to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. Coal, used for the drying and firing of products, was regularly delivered to the site by rail via Keymer’s own siding, alongside the Lewes-Eastbourne train line. Finished products were also dispatched from the factory using the same trains. Dr Beeching’s plan to increase efficiency of the railways saw the closure of the railway sidings so natural gas replaced coal as the fuel used.

During the Second World War, the tile manufacturing works were completely closed. Buildings and kilns were used by the Admiralty for storage purposes and played a major part in the ‘D-Day’ landings. After the War, considerable investment was made to introduce new clay preparation machinery whilst ensuring that traditional production methods were maintained.

Changing times

Due to dramatic fluctuations in the demand for bricks during the early 1970s, Keymer took the decision to stop brick manufacturing and concentrate on the production of handmade clay roofing tiles.

Architects and planners were concentrating more on the conservation and preservation of all types of buildings. This attitude gave new life to the company and resulted in the increased production of roofing tiles and fittings. In 1981, the very latest computer-controlled kilns were installed to reduce fuel consumption and provide better working conditions whilst still retaining the traditional handmaking skills. Recession in the construction industry during the 1990s led to a decline in the home market and a reduction in the production of tiles.

Since 2014, Keymer has been owned by wienerberger, the leading supplier of wall, roof and landscaping innovations. In 2015 we made our fourth move in our 400 year history and re-launched from our new home at wienerberger’s factory in Ewhurst, Surrey .

Situated in the plain tile heartland and 20 minutes from the original site, our premium handmade clay tiles continue to be produced from the orange clays of the South Weald using the same traditional equipment and processes as it always has. We’ve invested heavily to ensure the handmade manufacturing process is retained, meaning that all Keymer products will boast the quality and performance they have become famous for.

Creating a new British history

The company still uses Wealden clay native to the area and many of the traditional craft skills, which have been passed down from maker to maker through the generations.

Demand for and production of Keymer’s handmade clay roof tiles have shown a steady increase in recent years. Not only can our tiles be seen throughout the UK, on roofs from cottages to castles, supermarkets to town centres; we now export our unique products all around the globe.

We continue to invest in modern progressive techniques, strengthening our commitment to fuel efficiency and a safe working environment whilst passionate about maintaining the professional skills from the past to ensure our roof tiles boast the premium quality and performance they’ve become famous for.

We’re proud of our heritage, we’re a company 400 years in the making and as we look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead, we want to continue to innovate whilst retaining our premium hand-crafted feel to everything we do. Whether you are working on a classic or contemporary building, we recognise you need a partner who can see your vision and help you make it a reality. We’re looking to push the envelope with you and create a new history together.

Our clay

Natural, versatile and durable

The manufacture of premium handmade tiles begins with the careful selection of the clays. The rich reds of the Wealden clays give our tiles their deep natural colour. But why should you choose clay and more importantly why clay from Keymer?

Besides being natural, high quality and maintenance friendly clay products are sustainable in all production stage – from raw material extraction to production and packaging, through to processing.

Clay tiles are among the oldest building materials in the world and still remain very popular. This does not come as a surprise, as clay tiles are natural, versatile, durable and of stable value. Selecting the right building material is a decision for a lifetime.

Customers who choose handmade tiles from Keymer can be confident in the quality, premium product they are buying.

At Keymer, we have access to two types of clay: Wealden clay from South East England and Alluvial clay from the River Humber. This enables us to manufacture replica tiles and fittings in close proximity to the source of clay used for the original roof tiles.

But the story of clay starts in the mountains. For the journey to begin two processes must first take place…

Chemical erosion and weathering

Chemical erosion is the breakdown and decay of rock. Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down at the Earth’s surface. The rocks are broken down into such things as sediments, soils, and in our story, clay. Through these two processes, a large deposit of clay begins to form at the base of the mountain.

As clouds build-up and it begins to rain, rivers begin to form off the base of the mountain where through further chemical erosion more of this clay is carried down the river picking up minerals such as iron and sand.

Movement

This clay is then deposited down the river. At the end of the river rock particles are broken down further becoming smaller in size and more easily transportable. The small particles of clay eventually settle and are deposited along slow-moving rivers or at the bed of lakes, away from strong currents.

Then this is the part where we come in…

Extraction

The clay is then extracted from the ground (as we’ve mentioned we have two types of clay we use at two locations) and transported to stockpiles where it is stored until we’re ready to use it.

We start by removing any unwanted materials. The next step is to add water, the clay is then ready to be shaped in a mould or pressed to form our premium range of Keymer tiles.

Learn more about us

Are your tiles really handmade or is it just marketing speak?

No definitely not. Our premium Keymer tiles are all handmade, as they have been for over 430 years.

What makes your tiles the best?

The quality of the clay, the careful preparation of manufacturing that we take pride in, our customer service and finally the historical specification of our tiles as the number one choice with architects and housebuilder clients.

Are all our tiles made using the same clay? And what are the differences between the clays?

We have the enviable opportunity, to have access to two types of British clay, Weald and Alluvial. Weald clay which runs in a seam across the South of England, is a soft and difficult to mould clay; that is ideal for making Roof tiles and Bricks. This is extracted at our Ewhurst factory in Surrey; it fires into a wonderful bright red colour; synonymous with the vernacular of the southern counties. Whilst the Alluvial clay, is extracted from our Broomfleet factory by the River Humber, and is a hard, very malleable clay; that can be moulded into various shapes. This is a darker red in colour, similar to a terracotta that you would see in the majority of the UK’s building stock.

Concrete tiles are so much cheaper – why should I choose clay?

Clay has an unenviable reputation of blending into its surroundings and weathering gracefully with age. It also is made from a very sustainable natural source. It has an enduring quality, adding value and gravitas to any roof. Clay roof tiles are the traditional roofing materials in the UK and there has been a concerted movement in the architectural field, to re-emphasise clay as the prominent tile choice on developments.

How we work

Manufacturing the finest handmade clay tiles

Our team has the resources to design and develop bespoke premium handmade roofing products to exact standards. Working closely with all interested parties, care and attention to detail has become the trademark of our heritage work.

Discover how we work & meet the team