Removing layers of paint over front door steps

Our front door is on a raised ground floor. The steps (seven of them) are covered in grey paint which has been poorly applied (over red paint) and is chipping away and generally looking a bit of a mess.

Underneath it's a sand/cement finish - gawd knows how old (house is 1850s) and I either want to:
a) return it to that original finish and leave as it is
b) return it to a state where I can paint it (well)

Anyone any experience of this? I'm wondering whether I need a high pressure washer or something more serious like a sandblaster.

Or maybe, just some Nitromors and elbow grease!

Thanks.

A pressure washer won't shift it and nitromorse is likely to ingrain the residue into the stone. Sandblasting is the only real way to do it.

Thanks. What kind of company offers that service typically? Or can I hire the tools and do it myself?

Anyone any experience?

You can hire them but you have to kit up pretty well for H&S reasons.

And your neighbours will love you for the dust....LOL It can also take off the protective face of the surface underneath aswell.