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Inside Ibstock’s Birtley factory: The home of Waterstruck Bricks
18 February 2026
Rooted in the North of England, Birtley’s story is shaped by a landscape and legacy where brickmaking has long been part of everyday life. This is a region built on industry, craftsmanship, and resilience, qualities that continue to influence how our bricks are made today.
Drawing on locally sourced clays and time-honoured techniques, each Birtley brick reflects a deep connection to place, combining natural character with the strength and durability demanded by Britain’s architecture.
What makes Birtley Waterstruck Bricks so special
A unique offering
What makes Birtley bricks unique is how the bricks are made. They stand out for bringing together texture, tone, and tradition, creating buildings with real depth, individuality, and lasting appeal.
Distinctive natural texture finish
Bricks are formed using water rather than sand to release the clay from the mould, creating a soft, open texture with subtle creases and movement on the brick's face. No two bricks look the same, giving walls a more natural, handcrafted appearance
Depth of Colour and Variation
Because of the textured surface and the way the clay reacts during firing, waterstruck bricks develop rich tonal variation. Light and shadow play across the brick, adding depth and warmth to elevations.
Authentic, Handcrafted Character
The waterstruck process closely mirrors traditional brickmaking methods. This gives the bricks a heritage feel that works beautifully in both period-inspired architecture and contemporary designs looking for texture and authenticity.
Ideal for Blends
Their natural variation makes waterstruck bricks particularly well suited to brick blends, whether off-the-shelf or bespoke. When combined, they create a balanced, organic mix that avoids repetition and delivers a refined yet characterful finish.
Premium Aesthetic with Consistent Quality
While waterstruck bricks look handcrafted, they’re manufactured under controlled conditions. This means you get the visual richness of traditional bricks with the reliability and consistency required for modern construction.
“One of the most important specifications when building a home is the brick. We choose Birtley because you get a robust, timeless product that’s built to last for hundreds of years.” - Gary Reed, Managing Director, High Grange Developments
Specials and Blends
Alongside our standard brick range, Birtley also creates hand-thrown special shapes, offering both British Standard and bespoke solutions. Made using the same clay bodies and finishes as our bricks, these specials ensure complete visual continuity across a project.
The ability to handcraft bespoke shapes opens far greater design freedom. Whether responding to planning requirements, heritage contexts, or a distinctive architectural concept, special shapes allow designers to add depth, articulation and individuality to elevations. By working closely with customers to develop tailored solutions, Birtley helps transform functional details into defining features, elevating brickwork from a construction material into a true design element.
However, its product offering doesn’t stop there; all types of ‘specials’ are created, as well as some beautiful pre-made blends and custom blends.
Build Your Own Brick Blend and Bring Your Vision to Life
Brick blends play a vital role in defining a development's character. At Birtley, we offer both carefully curated ready-made blends and the opportunity to create something completely bespoke, giving you flexibility without compromise.
Our off-the-shelf blends, including Beamish, Townhouse, Millhouse and Borrowdale, have been expertly developed to deliver a consistent, well-balanced finish. Hand-blended in controlled proportions, these products ensure bricklayers achieve an even mix across elevations, whether bricks are taken from the top or bottom of the pack.
For projects that demand a stronger sense of identity, Birtley also offers the freedom to build your own blend. By selecting specific bricks, colours and tones from our unique range, you can create a blend that is entirely your own.
“The unique aspect of developing a signature brick was something extra special; it lends perfectly to the high-end homes we build.” - Gary Reed, Managing Director, High Grange Developments
Read the full case study of High Grange Development’s Keekle Meadows using a beautiful bespoke blend from Birtley.
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