Monument record TQ 77 SE 1527 - 20th century clay pit, Hoo St Werburgh

The earthworks of a former clay pit can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1947. This clay pit was situated at Hoo St. Werburgh between Bell's lane and Stoke Road, centred on TQ 7840 7243. This clay pit was associated with the brickworks by the coast to the south of the village (NMR 1545288). A clay pit was depicted here on the first edition 1870 Ordnance Survey map. This was connected o the brickworks by a tramway. By 1896 the clay pit had been expanded and matched the extent seen in 1947; some gravel was also extracted form this site. The clay pit had been abandoned by 1909 and the southern and western parts have subsequently been built over, in particular by the houses of Peal Close. By 2007 the northern and eastern part of the clay pit formed part of an orchard. No trees are planted on the steep sides of the clay pit and the former area of gravel digging. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.(1-5)

<1> RAF, 1947, RAF CPE/UK/1923 4090 16-JAN-1947 (Photograph). SKE59174.

<2> 1870, 1:10,560 / 1870 (OS Card Reference). SKE59153.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898 (Map). SWX11832.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912 (Map). SWX11833.

<5> PGA, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ7872 21-APR-2007 (Photograph). SKE59142.