Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Ironstone workings, a series of shallow pits. Presumed post medieval.

Monument Types

• MINE (MINE, Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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[TR 156382] There are numerous small depressions, 10-15 ft. across, on the precipitous south edge, and extending back about 300 yards of Tolsford Hill, 2 miles north of Hythe Church. They can hardly be seen at the western end but are clear at the eastern end; near the centre they have been disturbed by flint diggers, one of whom described them as being 4 to 6 feet deep. Two or three were describedas having "fire places at the bottom, made with slabs of chalk .... which was burnt; these were represented as somewhat square, and about two feet in diameter internally." (1) The pits referred to by Spurrell are mine pits for the extraction of iron ore from the Pliocene Lenham Beds (see also Mine pits, TR 14 SW 18 and Bloomery TR 14 NE 6). The pits average 3.0 - 5.0m in diameter and 0.7m in depth. There are four concentrations of them in an area centred about TR 15853840. All are now under turf. (2) additional bibliography (3-5)

RPS Clouston, 1994, Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main (Unpublished document). SKe6910.

<1> Arch J 40 1883 291-2 (FCJ Spurrell) (OS Card Reference). SKE36628.

<2> Geology of the Weald (1875) 337-8 (Topley) (OS Card Reference). SKE43615.

<3> F1 ASP 26.04.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42297.

<4> Field report for monument TR 13 NE 1 - April, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5322.

<5> RPS Clouston, 1994, Folkestone & Dover Water services: Bluehouse to Cherry Garden Trunk Main (Unpublished document). SKE6910.

Sources and further reading