Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
Other stones can be seen in Arkesden such as the four small sarsens at the south-east end of the
village by the bridge (TL 48453431) and the puddingstone adjacent to the Axe and Compasses
Public House. Many more are in private gardens nearby.
Ashdon
Buried in the grass verge outside a pair of cottages at Midsummer Hill (TL 592408) is a boulder of
Millstone Grit (85x80x20).
Audley End
On the grass opposite the main entrance to Audley End House (TL 523380) is fine sarsen fragment
(110x90x50) (see Plate 5).
On display in the Stable Block of Audley End House is a spectacular Septarian nodule (165x115x30)
cut in half to display the internal calcite-lined cracks or septa'. This nodule was no doubt collected
locally and was part of the natural history collection acquired by the fourth Lord Braybrooke in the
19th century. It was moved from its previous position on the Tea House Bridge in 2003 to deter
vandalism.
Aythorpe Roding
Outside Lucas Farm (TL 577138) are two sarsens (the largest 90x90x40) and two lichen-covered
limestone boulders (the largest 110x70x70).
Bishop's Stortford
In 1889, two giant Puddingstones (the largest 270x150x90) were reported to be in the grounds of
Oak Hall, Bishop's Stortford (Pritchett 1889) having been obtained from a field near Whitehall
(approx. TL 484226). These stones were seen by members of the Essex Field Club dining several
field excursions (e.g. Irving 1898). The land around Oak Hall is now occupied by the housing of
Chantry Way and Chantry Close (TL 483218) and it is not known whether these stones are still in
existence. Irving also refers to other Puddingstones inBishop's Stortford, one of which (110x100x35)
can still be seen in what is now the yard of Glasscocks Business Centre in the Causeway (TL
48972127). These sites lie within the county of Hertfordshire.
Catmere End
At the crossroads (TL 497388) lies a very large sarsen (210x120x55) in the grass by the signpost
(Salter 1914).
Debden
By the roadside at the entrance to Brick House Farm (TL 545338) is a sandstone boulder
(90x50x35).
150 metres west of Debden Church, next to a public footpath (TL 550332). is a rounded
puddingstone (90x90x70).
Farnham
At the side of the Hazel End Road near the road junction (TL 480243) is a sarsen (130x110x50)
with a thick band of pebbles running through the centre. This stone appears to have been recently
moved to Illis position.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)
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