Essex erratic boulders: a gazetteer
(260x120x70) at the base of the south wall which may be the largest puddingstone in Essex. Part
of this stone contains no pebbles and is therefore similar to a sarsen. Above this is a sarsen known
as the "hangman's stone" or "Sheepstealers' stone" (130x120x30) that was taken by Gibson from
land at nearby Littlebury (Rowntree 1954). Salter (1914) states that the Littlebury Sheepstealers'
stone "has disappeared", clearly unaware of its new role. Elm Grove is private property and
permission for access must be obtained from the warden.
An interesting collection of erratic boulders can be seen in the grounds of Saffron Walden Museum,
the most prominent being a very large and complete Septarian nodule (over two metres in diameter)
obtained when digging foundations for Acrow's works (now Ridgeons) on the Ashdon Road. Also
of interest is a fine basalt boulder (75x35x35) by the museum entrance door.
Stansted Mountfitchet
A small but conspicuous sarsen (70x60x35) can be seen next to Barclays Bank in on the Cambridge
Road (TL 510251).
At the junction of Bentfield End Causeway and Wetherfield is a sarsen (120x60x35) outside a
cottage (TL 506253).
Takeley
A sarsen (130x90x40) with an interesting history is situated on the grass adjacent to the Four
Ashes crossroads (TL 561212). This stone was discovered in 2000 by archaeologists working for
British Airports Authority on land designated for a car park extension at Stansted Airport (TL
552224). It was found in a pit which was part of a complex of Bronze Age dwellings and had
clearly been placed in the pit some 3,500 years ago, suggesting that it had ceremonial or ritual
significance (Anon 2001). The stone was moved here in 2003 and provided with a plaque by the
Takeley Local History Society.
Thaxted
The appropriately named Stoney Lane, adjacent to the Guildhall, is a good example of a street
paved with local erratics. The majority of the cobbles are flint but there are also a large number of
other rock types.
South of the town is a sarsen (90x60x30) on the roadside outside the entrance to Buckingham's
Farm (TL 606295).
Tilty
In Tilty churchyard (TL 600264) is a small sarsen (60x45x40) and a very rounded puddingstone
(70x60x35).
Wendens Ambo
A sarsen (90x45x25) can be seen by the entrance to Audley End Station (TL 516363) (Salter
1914).
A boulder of puddingstone (140x80) is built into the base of an ancient wall (TL 512363) on the
bend of the road near the church. Tins wall is listed as a building of historic interest and it is
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 20 (2003)