Mortar for masonry is important because it provides the linkage between masonry units so enabling the composite to behave as a single material. The type of mortar used determines the flexural and compressive strength of the masonry, so in this paper, a range of mortars are examined. These include traditional designation (iii) (1 cement : 1 lime : 6 sand), designation (iv) (1 cement : 1 lime : 9 sand) mortars as defined in BS 5628: Part 1[ref], and two thin layer mortars. The conventional mortars were formed using both CEM I 42.5N or CEM I 32.5N PC (Portland Cement) to BS EN 197; Part 1 in order to ascertain the difference these two cements have on the properties of mortar. The thin layer mortars show remarkably high compressive strength.