Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
Despite many enquiries by the present author, the location of the puddingstone in 'Dane Meadow"
at the end of 'Aldwick Lane' lias not been established (Geare 1910; Salter 1914).
Great Dunmow
A sarsen (one metre diameter) is set into the paving of the courtyard at the rear of the Starr Restaurant
in the Market Place (TL 627220).
A large sarsen (160x120x35) lies on the grass at the side of Beaumont Hill almost opposite the
junction with Lime Tree Hill (TL 626227) (Salter 1914).
Great Hallingbury
Twenty metres east of the road junction (TL 498187) is a small sarsen with red flint pebbles
(60x60x30).
Hatfield Forest
In Hatfield Forest, on the southern edge of the lake (TL 541198), are three partially-submerged
boulders, two of puddingstone (the largest 135x90x70) and one of sandstone (140x110x70).
They were discovered when the lake was created in about 1750. Adjacent to the Shell House a
boulder of limestone(?) (80x45) protrudes from the ground. Hatfield Forest is owned by the
National Trust.
Henham
Near the entrance to Parsonage Farm (TL 544285), in front of the old stables, is a splendid pavement
of erratic cobbles. Rock types include quartzite, puddingstone and some unusual igneous rocks.
Immediately in front of the stables is a sarsen (110x40x40) which is a typical example of an erratic
boulder put to use as a mounting block. Similar mounting blocks can be seen in farmyards in many
places in north Essex. Nearby is a boulder of Millstone Grit and, in the front garden of the fann
house, a large sarsen. All these stones are on private land and permission to visit should be obtained
from the farm.
High Easter
At the road junction (TL 624149) on the grass verge outside Cottons Cottage is a sarsen (110x50)
almost completely buried.
In the churchyard of St. Mary's Church (TL 620147) is a lichen-covered limestone boulder
(90x60x40).
Little Bardfield
On the roadside a short distance from flie church (TL 657306). in the direction of Great Bardfield,
is a moss-covered boulder of Jurassic sandy limestone with fossils (70x70x60).
Littlebury
Several erratic boulders can be seen in Littlebury village. Small boulders are situated on the roadside
but larger examples are in private gardens. Rock types include sarsen, puddingstone and sandstone.
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)