Hangmans Wood Deneholes |
Hob Uid: 413511 | |
Location : Thurrock Non Civil Parish
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Grid Ref : TQ6304979354 |
Summary : Undated deneholes in Hangman's Wood, for chalk and flint extraction. Over 70 deneholes are known to have existed in the wood, but only a few holes now survive as a visible earthworks. The holes appear to be concentrated towards the north of the area, most surviving as shallow scrapes, grassed over or full of brambles. The larger holes are surrounded by high security fencing. |
More information : [Centred: TQ 63107930] DENE HOLES [O.E] (1) Only one of these dene holes now remains, at TQ 62997906. The others have been filled in. (2) [Centred: TQ 63107924] Of these dene holes, 5 remain. Three are completely opened, and two filled in. (3) The dene holes in Hangman's Wood are now preserved by Thurrock U.D.C. (4) Dene Hole at TQ 62997906 no longer exists. (5) Only four Deneholes now remain and these have been fenced off: they are at TQ 63107931, 63087929, 63087928 and 63087925. (6)
Documented. (7)
Scheduled. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. (8-9)
Investigated by The Essex Field Club and reported in 1887. At that time 51 shafts were known, but all except five were blocked. The club entered 15 shafts and associated chambers. The field club carried out further investigation of the site in the 1950s and early 1960s. The shafts are over 20 metres deep before the chalk is reached. The site is now a biological SSSI because the deneholes are important underground hibernation sites for bats. Underground access is prohibited. (10)
Called 'Cunobelin's gold-mines' [Cunobelin was the son of Commius the Atrebatian] in White's directory 1848 (11) |