Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
to a former lecturer at the college it was found during nearby road construction work in the late
1960s. The stone has fine mammilated surfaces on both sides.
Around the rim of Grays Chalk Quarry SSSI west of Hogg Lane (TQ 609789) are a number of fine
sarsens, all with mammilated surfaces. The stones were found at least one hundred years ago at the
base of the Thames terrace gravels overlying the Chalk and were exhumed as quarrying proceeded
(Morris 1867; Holmes 1903). The quarry is accessible only with a permit from Essex Wildlife
Trust.
North Stifford
A puddingstone (75x60) supports the north-west corner of St. Mary's Church (TQ 605803) (Potter
1998). The boulder consists oflayers of black flint pebbles set in a sarsen matrix. This is the only
known example of a puddingstone in south Essex.
South Ockendon
The magnificent sarsen (160x160x35) which formerly stood outside Marley's works on the south
side of Stifford Road, South Ockendon, has been relocated to the Davy Down Riverside Park in the
Mardyke Valley (TQ 592800) where it is accessible during opening hours. The stone has fine
mammilated surfaces.
One of the finest collections of sarsens in the country is situated in private woodland known as
Brickbarn Wood and Coombe Wood on the south side of the Mardyke Valley adjacent to the cutting
of the A13 trunk road (TQ 586799 to TQ 589799). It is estimated that between 30 and 40 stones
arc present, most of them partially buried in the spoil from old gravel pits. Many of these stones
are over two metres long and most have fine mammilated surfaces.
On the south side of the A13, in a large gravel pit that is now the Arena Essex Motor Sports
Complex (TQ 587797) is another remarkable collection of at least 20 sarsens (the largest over
three metres long) with exceptionally well-preserved surface structures.
Brickbarn Wood, Coombe Wood and Arena Essex are all private property and permission for access
should be obtained from the respective land owners.
UTTLESFORD DISTRICT
Arkesden
At least 12 Puddingstones and sarsens (the largest 150x110) can be seen in the bed of the stream
by the bridge in the centre of the village (TL 48213449) (Salter 1914).
The war memorial in St. Mary's churchyard consists of a very large single boulder of puddingstone
(170x170x80). It is not known where Illis was obtained but it is a fine and unusual use for an erratic
boulder.
Almost hidden in vegetation at the side of Clatterbury Lanc to the south of the village (TL 48343422)
is a very large and colourful boulder of puddingstone (200x130x100) (Salter 1914).
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)