Geology Site Account

Site name: Hadleigh Church Sarsen Stone

Grid reference: TQ 810870

Brief description of site:

A small sarsen stone (45cm x 45cm in size) is built into the south wall of Hadleigh Church. This stone is no doubt derived from the high level Medway gravels that cap the hill at Hadleigh and, therefore, must have originated in Kent.

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.