Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Possible 'Poaching House' for preparation of Gun Cotton, excavated in Area 1 in 2013 in advance of development of the northern site of Leigh Gunpowder Mills.

Monument Types

• GUNCOTTON FACTORY (Post Medieval to Modern - 1811 AD to 1934 AD (between))

Associated Finds

• BRICK (Post Medieval to Modern - 1811 AD? to 1934 AD?)

Full description

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Possible 'Poaching House' for preparation of Gun Cotton, excavated in Area 1 in 2013 in advance of development of the northern site of Leigh Gunpowder Mills. From the report:

"The structure is formed of three units that are subdivided: the most complete of these was a central rectangular block measuring 9.7m by 8m, with buttressed brick walls and a central partition (Rooms F and G). This clearly had an industrial rather than domestic function, since the western of the two rooms contained a water tank (Room E) with an adjacent raised platform (Room D). A longer unit of the building lay on the east side, with a northern and southern area (Rooms H and I). The southern part had a concrete floor with a north/ south subdivision, and at the southern end, a raised area up three steps representing a toilet and washroom. The northern part was heavily truncated by more recent services and concrete footings. The third part of the block was smaller again, with two rooms with surviving floors. One was concrete (Room B), the other had a partially robbed brick floor (Room C). In the west wall of this block, housing for pipes flowing out into a wide drain channel (Structure A) suggested a general industrial process involving a moderate quantity of water. This may suggest a washhouse or a soakhouse. Since this was not part of the late 19th century layout, it is possible that this was for soaking or cleaning something relating to later manufacturing processes, perhaps preparation of Gun Cotton, possibly a ‘Poaching house’ (Abandoned 2015)." (1)

<1> AOC Archaeology, 2015, Gunpowder Mills, Leigh, Tonbridge, Kent, A Post-Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE31577.

Sources and further reading

Related records