Geology Site Account

Site name: Edgars Farm Boulders

Grid reference: TL 8945 3540

Brief description of site:

Two large sarsen stones outside Edgars Farm, Lamarsh. They are at least one metre long but the size has not yet been recorded.

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Summary of geological interest

Sarsens are extremely hard boulders of sandstone formed around 55 million years ago when the climate of Britain was hot and a layer of sand beneath the surface of the ground became cemented with quartz. They are thus very resistant to erosion and have survived the rigours of the Ice Age. They probably originated on the chalk downland of south Cambridgeshire and after retreat of the ice they became concentrated in river valleys such as The Stour.

Edgars Farm boulders. Photo: Maria Medlycott