Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Site of circular mound within a short distance of the Roman road in an area called Ruehill Wood. Reports suggest the site of a Roman barrow and later a 19th century telegraph station. Now destroyed.

Monument Types

• TELEGRAPH STATION (TELEGRAPH STATION, Post Medieval - 1801 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 5198 7113] Tumulus at Ruehill Wood. (1) Within a short distance of the Roman road stands a most conspicuous circular mound at present covered with trees and shrubs, and called 'Ruehill Wood'. The artificial portion has been heaped on the summit of a lofty natural elevation, and forms nearly a complete circle. The vallum and fosse by which it was environed have been obliterated by the plough.It stands in a wood and is supposed to occupy about 6 acres of land at the base. The mound from its great altitude was, in the present century, used as a position for the site of a telegraph. Adjoining the mound, but quite detached, is a smaller earthwork or fortalice, on the summit of which is a deep round excavation, like a well, which a labourer on the 18th of March last informed me, at the bottom extended for some distance and was strongly arched. It had then been, but a few weeks before, wattled round to prevent accidents. (2) A large natural hill that has been ornamentally terraced on its S. side exists in Rowhill Wood. This terracing and apparently associated length of ornamental concrete walling at the foot were, according to the occupier of the farm nearby, made about the turn of the century for a house. The summit of the hill is flat and shows no sign of a barrow. The site commands extensive views in all directions; an O.S. Trig. Pillar is sited there. (3) "Quite natural mounds, outliers of Blackheath pebble beds overlying Thanet sand. Though it cannot now be ascertained to what Dunkin was referring, it is possible that the mounds were artificially defended with earthworks, but all trace of them has gone. I have not found any brick or other building material in the area." (4)

<1> G.M.L. Arch. vol.2, p.153. (OS Card Reference). SKE43468.

<2> Rec 6' (O.G.S. Crawford) (OS Card Reference). SKE49017.

<3> Hist. & Ants. of Dartford, 1844, pp. xv, xvi & footnote. (J. Dunkin) (OS Card Reference). SKE44059.

<4> F1 ASP 11-NOV-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42057.

<5> F2 CFW 11-NOV-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE43221.

<6> Oral: P.J. Tester, Hon. Corr., 2 Willow Close, Bexley, Kent. (OS Card Reference). SKE48086.

<7> F3 ASP 01-DEC-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE43366.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 94 - November, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3199.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 94 - December, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3200.

Sources and further reading