Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
Outside the Coach and Horses Public House (TL 394040) is a sarsen (90x60x50) that has
unfortunately been painted to match the colour of the building (Salter 1914).
Willingale
On the corner opposite the public house in the centre of the village at (TL 596072) is a rounded
sarsen (90x50x30) (Salter 1914). A slightly smaller sarsen can be found on the verge next to
Dukes Farm (TL 595079).
HARLOW DISTRICT
Harlow
A puddingstone (165x120x8(1) stands upright in the private quadrangle of the offices of
GlaxoSmithKline (formerly BP House) in Third Avenue (TL 428090). It was discovered during
construction of the building in 1966.
MALDON DISTRICT
No large erratics are known from this district.
ROCHFORD DISTRICT
Several small sarsens are reported from this district (Salter 1914) but no large examples are known.
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA DISTRICT
Eastwood
Between the pews and poking through the floorboards inside St. Lawrence Church (TL 862889) is
a sarsen (65x60). 'Pagan' stones were often incorporated into the foundations of churches but it is
very unusual for one to be in such a conspicuous position inside the building. Regrettably, at the
time of writing, St. Lawrence Church is threatened with demolition to make way for an extension to
Southend Airport,
TENDRING DISTRICT
The only large erratic boulder reported from this district is a sarsen (120x90x30) at Great Clacton
(Salter 1914) but its precise location is not known.
THURROCK DISTRICT
Chadwell St. Mary
In the churchyard (TQ 646785) is a sarsen fragment (100x50x35) with mammilated surfaces.
Grays
A fine sarsen (130x110x40) is standing upright on the grass in front of Thurrock College (TQ
635788). Until recently, the stone was lying flat on the paving by the college entrance. According
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)
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