TQ5639 : An outcrop of Tunbridge Wells Sandstone above Happy Valley
taken 14 years ago, near to Langton Green, Kent, England
Tunbridge Wells sandstone is Lower Cretaceous in age. It was lain down in large braided river channels. Today it's outcrops form upland regions across the Weald of Kent. In the Tunbridge Wells area there are several locally famous sites. Mount Edgecumbe Rocks TQ5739 : Edgecumbe Rocks, Wellington Rocks TQ5739 : Wellington Rocks, Tunbridge Wells Common, Toad Rock TQ5639 : Toad Rock, Rusthall, Happy Valley Rocks TQ5639 : Happy Valley Rocks, High Rocks TQ5638 : High Rocks, Eridge Rocks TQ5535 : Eridge Rocks, The Chiddingstone TQ5045 : The Chiding stone, Chiddingstone, Harrison Rocks
The rock makes for good rock climbing in the SE of England.
The rock is locally rich in Iron and mining it gave the Wealden area an Iron making industry in Mediaevil times. It also accounts for a number of Chalybeate springs across Kent and Sussex.
These rocks are the southern most of the outcrops of Tunbridge Wells Sandstone in the Rusthall area. All form "Tor" like structures due to physical weathering, mainly during the last ice age.
Rusthall Common is a western extension of Tunbridge Wells Common. It is a mixture of woodland and heathland. The Common includes the Toad Rocks, Denny Bottom Rocks and the Happy Valley Rocks.The area is managed by the Tunbridge Wells Common Conservators.
Website: Link
A tour of the common can be seen at Link