Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The incomplete earthwork remains of an irregular rectilinear enclosure measuring approximately 190m x 190m thought to be the remains of post medieval salt works recorded on C18th tithe map immediately to the south the Yantlet Creek. The Main enclosure was bounded by a low bank and was sub-divided into rectangular sections, possibly evaporation tanks measuring c.100m x 32m. The northern section of the site abuts a post medieval counter wall which runs along the bank of the Yantlet Creek. Two further former counter walls branch off this wall, extending south, flanking the east and west edges of the salt works. The western wall appears to cut, and presumably post-dates the salt works. These remains were mapped from 1946 RAF aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.

Summary from record TQ 87 NE 1008:

A rectangular enclosure is marked on the Ordnance Survey historic maps (c.1858-1940) near the site of an 'Old Salt Works'. It was also identified from aerial photographs taken shortly after the end of the second World War.

Monument Types

• SALT WORKS (Post Medieval - 1700 AD? (between) to 1842 AD? (between))
• ENCLOSURE (Post Medieval - 1858 AD? to 1858 AD)

Full description

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[Centred TQ 8674 7650] Salt-pans [Group of about 10 salt-pans with wind-pump and three buildings shown.] (1) This area has been much altered by drainage ditches and banks etc., but a few low banks within a pasture field are probably the vestigial remains of the salt pans. At the western end of the site are two flat topped mounds (? for wind pumps) each about 13.0 m. in diam. and 1.0m. high. The easternmost contains much 18th c. brick and some concrete. There is a slight ditch and causeway at its eastern arc; the other mound is featureless. They are described as 'Saltworks' on the Tithe Map.(a) (2). Shown as 'old salt works' on 1st ed OS 6 inch The incomplete earthwork remains of an irregular rectilinear enclosure seen at TQ 8073 7656 and measuring approximately 190m x 190m. This is thought to be the remains of post medieval salt works recorded on C18th tithe map immediately to the south the Yantlet Creek. The Main enclosure was bounded by a low bank and was sub-divided into rectangular sections, possibly evaporation tanks measuring c.100m x 32m. The northern section of the site abuts a post medieval counter wall which runs along the bank of the Yantlet Creek. Two further former counter walls branch off this wall, extending south, flanking the east and west edges of the salt works. The western wall appears to cut, and presumably post-dates the salt works. These remains were mapped from 1946 RAF aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. Additional details to the inner sub-divisions were added from Environment Agency lidar imagery. (3-4)

Description from record TQ 87 NE 1008:
Enclosure marked alongside old salt works on the 1st ed OS 6 inch (1,2,3). Photographs (4,5).

<1> `History of Kent' II 1782 map between 64-5 (c 1/2" = 1 mile) (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE32717.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> Tithe Map St James in the Isle of Grain 1842 (OS Card Reference). SKE50593.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898 (Map). SWX11832.

<3> F1 CFW 05-APR-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42430.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912 (Map). SWX11833.

<4> Field report for monument TQ 87 NE 1 - April, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4631.

<4> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9554.

<5> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9553.

<5> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9553.

<6> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9554.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

Sources and further reading