Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Post Medieval milestone on the A20 at West Kingsdown.

Monument Types

• MILESTONE (MILESTONE, Post Medieval to Modern - 1540 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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(TQ 59076160) MS (NAT) (1) One of two cast-iron mile stones situated on the A20 at West Kingsdown (see also TQ 56 SE 15). It is fitted to a shaped stone, possibly the original mile stone. Scheduled. (2)

Two cast iron milestones fitted to a shaped iron stone backing, (?original milestones) on A20. (A) reads: London 20 Farningham, Wrotham 4, Farn 3. (3)


List entry Description
Summary of Monument
Two milestones situated on the east side of the A20 London Road at West Kingsdown.

Reasons for Designation
Milestones are both an important testament to the development of the transport network and are reminders of different perceptions of distance in a pre-motorised age. In the mid-eighteenth century milestones became prevalent after turnpike trusts were encouraged to provide markers on roads. They often display a notable amount of individuality before the late 18th century.

Despite having suffered some damage, the two milestones at West Kingsdown survive well. They date to at least the 19th century and are situated on a significant route to London.

History
See Details.

Details
This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 8 September 2014. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes two milestones, in two separate areas of protection, situated on the east side of the A20 London Road at West Kingsdown.

The milestones are constructed of cast iron fitted to a shaped stone backing. They are approximately 3 km apart. That to the north reads: London 20, Wrotham 4, and Farningham 3. That to the south reads: Ash, Wrotham 2, Farningham 5, Ramsones. The milestones are shown on Kent OS Maps (1:2500) published in 1885, 1896, 1909 and 1939. (4)

<1> OS 1:10000 1981 (OS Card Reference). SKE48167.

<2> DOE(IAM) Record Form plan 9 8 77 (OS Card Reference). SKE41450.

<3> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<4> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

Sources and further reading