[Area TR 060 549] Hasted mentions earthwork in Shillinghold Wood, one mile N.W. of Chilham Church and adjoining Stonestyle Farm in Selling parish, as the site of the former manor house. (1) In the former Shillinghold Wood, now an orchard, there is a complex earthwork situated on a slight gravel ridge (Blackheath Beds.) It consists of a large near triangular enclosure bounded for the most part by two low banks separated by a berm. In the W. half of the enclosed area there is a large irregular-shaped earthwork surrounded by a deep, dry ditch, some near-rectangular enclosures and the probable sites of a number of buildings indicated by footings of flint walling. Also there are possibly the sites of two wells visible as deep, circular depressions. The East half of the enclosure has traces of small fields or crofts. The site is similar in many ways to that in Joydens Wood, Dartford [TQ 57 SW 92], recently excavated and found to be a medieval settlement, probably the lost Manor of Ocholt. It seems probable, therefore, that this is the site of Shillinghold Manor as suggested by Hasted. Surveyed at 1/2500.(2) The orchard has now been completely grubbed and is now under cultivation, with no visible signs of the earthworks. (3)

<1> Hist of Kent 3 1790 140 (E Hasted) (OS Card Reference). SKE43957.

<2> F1 ASP 07.06.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE41970.

<3> LS 25" January 1972 (OS Card Reference). SKE46201.

<4> Field report for monument TR 05 SE 12 - June, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5218.