Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
CASTLE POINT DISTRICT
Hadleigh
Small sarsens have been reported from this district (Salter 1914) such as the sarsen (45x45) built
into the south wall of Hadleigh Church (TQ 810870). These stones are no doubt derived from the
high level Medway gravels that cap the hill at Hadleigh and, therefore, must have originated in
Kent.
CHELMSFORD DISTRICT
Bicknacre
On private land, next to the garage of Fultons Farmhouse (TL 788006), is a boulder of basalt
(90x60x35). This glacially-transported boulder is close to the southern limit of the Anglian Ice
Sheet.
Broomfield
A small block of ferricrete protruding from the south wall of the church (TL 705104) was quoted
in several articles by E.A. Rudge as evidence of his 'conglomerate track' (Rudge 1954). Two
sarsens (the largest 60x40x30) can be seen by the churchyard gate.
Chelmsford
A fine example of the use of Bunter quartzite cobbles in building construction is at Chelmsford
Cathedral. The extension to the chancel, built in 1923, and the vestry block, built three years later,
each have external walls faced mostly with these erratics. As a bonus, there is a scatter of several
dozen Puddingstones in a broad band around the vestry block about three metres above ground
level. It is likely that a block of puddingstone became available to the workmen and was broken up
and used when the building was at Illis stage in its construction.
A puddingstone (70x60x30) can be seen adjacent to the front entrance of Chelmsford and Essex
Museum.
Great Baddow
A sarsen (90x70x60) sits in the car park of the Beehive Public House in Beehive Lane (TL 719055)
(Salter 1914). It was obtained from the old Beehive gravel quarry nearby (Salter 1906).
Great Leighs
On the grass verge outside St. Anne's Castle Public House (TL 727171) is a sarsen (85x70x20).
Little Waltham
By the entrance to Channels Golf Club (TL 724112) is an upright puddingstone (90x70x30) with
a plaque attached commemorating the restoration of a nearby gravel pit. On the other side of the
road is a large sarsen (180x100x60). It has been reported that several more boulders arc situated
on the golf course.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)
123