2015

TQ5739 : Wellington Rocks

taken 8 years ago, near to Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England

This is 1 of 49 images, with title Wellington Rocks in this square
Wellington Rocks
Wellington Rocks
Wellington Rocks

Wellington Rocks are found on Tunbridge Wells Common, they are an outcrop of Tunbridge Wells Sandstone.
Named after the Wellington Hotel. In earlier times they were variously described as the High Rocks on Mount Ephraim, or as Castle Rock (either named after the nearby Castle Tavern, or because of the shape of rocks’ highest point). Early nineteenth century guides report that “small transparent pebbles are found on the paths of the Common, especially after rain. These crystals are called Tunbridge Wells Diamonds, and, cut and polished, form brilliant additions to the jewel-case”. Small rounded pebbles can still be seen here today embedded in the sandstone, and it is presumably the most attractive of these, eroded out of the rock, which were once collected.

Tunbridge Wells Sandstone

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.

Tunbridge Wells Common :: TQ5839

Tunbridge Wells Common is a 104 hectare open space close to the centre of town. Comprising mixed oak woodland and open areas. Originally a common where animals grazed, but trees have grown as grazing declined. Underlain by Tunbridge Wells Sandstone (Lower Cretaceous), which outcrops in several places across the common. Owned by the Borough Council but looked after by the Tunbridge Wells Common Conservators LinkExternal link .


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Geological interest
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Wellington [90] · Wellington Rocks [57] Title Clusters: · Wellington Rocks [49] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
TQ5739, 845 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
N Chadwick   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Sunday, 8 November, 2015   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 11 February, 2016
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 5780 3916 [10m precision]
WGS84: 51:7.7990N 0:15.2293E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 5779 3920
View Direction
South-southeast (about 157 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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