The purpose of deneholes was subject to some speculation during the 19th Century, but they are now believed to be ancient chalk mines. They are found in areas where opencast mining would not be possible, and take the basic form of a number of chambers accessed by a vertical shaft. There were many hundreds and most were filled in after the chalk was extracted, but over the years some have collapsed revealing very dangerous open shafts. This one, located in Darenth Wood near Dartford, is unusual in that it is accessable due to one of the chambers having collapsed.
This Denehole is on open land, but if visited appropriate care should be taken.
This Denehole is on open land, but if visited appropriate care should be taken.
The shaft is located at the foot of this tree
Looking down the grilled shaft
Looking into the collapsed chamber and the entrance hole
Just inside
Looking into the centre of the denehole
The central shaft
Looking up, the footholes can still be made out
Looking across between two of the chambers
Graffiti dating back to 1932 can be found on the walls
Looking back to the entrance from one chamber
2 comments:
Spent many happy hours exploring the holes in Joydens Woods. Just a ways from Dartford Heath. That was back in the early 50's.
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