OLD KENT STONES AND BONES
THE WHITE HORSE STONE
Map Ref: TQ 753603
Although you've probably never been aware of it, when you're near to the bottom of Blue Bell Hill as you head towards Maidstone, the A229 actually slices through one of Kent's most ancient pilgrim tracks that's known as The Pilgrims Way. Lying as it does near the foot of the North Downs, its easterly path leads to the north of Boxley Village through hidden countryside. Along this narrow stretch of The Pilgrims Way lies The White Horse Stone. Hidden by surrounding trees, this old sarsen is to be found at the very edge of an ancient field that historically has much to say. You shouldn't have much trouble in locating the stone, which is only 20-30 yards or so from the beginning of the tree-embowered terrace way.
The stone's quite renowned for the quaint old faces that seem to appear whenever you stare at it for awhile. Some have even likened one end of it to that of an Egyptian sphinx. Helped by contrasting shadows that briefly appear at certain times of the day, the stone takes on a well-defined leonine characteristic and during Victorian times it was commonly referred to as the "Western Sphinx" or the "Sphinx of the North".
For many years The White Horse Stone was commonly thought to have been a remnant of a Neolithic chambered tomb. Which is interesting because an excavation in the field adjoining The White Horse Stone (carried out in advance of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link during '97-'98) did just happen to reveal the remains of a Neolithic longhouse. Dated at around 3750-3700 BC, I was fortunate to see the huge dolmens that were unearthed at the time. Could these have been the old stones that made up the so-called "Unknown Tomb" or "Nameless Tomb" that was destroyed long ago? After all the location is about right. Then again they might've been buried by the farmers of yesteryear, for more acreage was to be gained by their removal and one of the easiest ways to get rid of them in those days was to bury them! This was almost certainly the fate of some of the stones that made up the Avebury "Lost" Avenue...as well as for countless others.
Of course there's always the possibility that because The White Horse Stone is found resting at the side of the field that it might've been dug up! Natural boulders are very common to the lower slopes of the downs and in particular to the foot of Blue Bell Hill. If it proved to be an obstacle to the plough that would explain its position at the edge of the field, where it was quite common to dump them. Please note that at least nine smaller stones keep The White Horse Stone company that we know for a fact were definitely removed by farmers!
A bridleway crosses the field in front of The White Horse Stone that once was part of the old Roman Rochester to Hastings road. At the top of the field where the track is sign-posted for it, is a cottage that once flourished as the "Lower Bell Inn". Also within this same area, but over towards the chalk escarpment in a more westerly direction, we know that a few modest Roman buildings, that may have included a temple, once existed there.
THE "LOWER" WHITE HORSE STONE
The White Horse Stone is also referred to as the "Upper" White Horse Stone. This is because that at one time another old sarsen stood beside The Pilgrims Way where it meets the Rochester & Chatham Rd., that was the original White Horse Stone. Lying a quarter of a mile or so away to the west this mighty monolith these days is now referred to as the "Lower" White Horse Stone". After it was broken up, the stone that now bears its name apparently took over all the myths and legends that were associated with it. Apparently this original White Horse Stone was in fact likened to a standing rampant horse, which later went on to become the emblem of Kent.
The Rochester & Chatham to Maidstone Rd. has been known to alter its course a number of times over the years and this is probably why this huge stone was broken up in the early 1820's. Where it once stood was within the north-western angle of the cross that was formed by the pilgrim's track and the old Roman road to Rochester. Nowadays the site is somewhere under the modern dual-carriageway of the A229, just where it severs the old pilgrim track.
SMYTHE'S MEGALITH
Map Ref: TQ 754606
Discovered by farm labourers during the early 1820's, what was first named as The Warren Farm Chamber, is nowadays more commonly known as Smythe's Megalith. It took on this name after a certain Mr. Clement Smythe gave us a good account of the site just before it was cleared. Unfortunately nothing remains now of this small stone chamber that consisted of four large stones. Your guess is as good as mine is as to what became of them!
Smythe's Megalith was located just a short distance away from The White Horse Stone. It was found within the same part of the field that The White Horse Stone looks out upon, but in a more north-easterly direction.
Long ago there was quite a high concentration of Neolithic megaliths, or chambered tombs etc found within this area, which results in The White Horse Stone and its immediate surroundings being held in great reverence. For those who follow pagan traditions this is a site of highly significant spiritual importance.
On the 12th of August 2005 a crop formation of sorts appeared in the field The White Horse Stone looks out on. This was a scruffy plankerised version that intentionally mimicked the classic Longwood Warren design that appeared in '95 that depicted planets orbiting the Sun. On that occasion the Earth was curiously missing...a feature that was prominently amended in the welly-stomped version!
The Earth Included - Lower Blue Bell Hill 12th August 2005
Found alongside The Pilgrims Way near Boxley (just a couple of fields away from The White Horse Stone) a formation appeared in '96 that earned the nickname "The Aztec Dartboard". Lying as close as it could to this old pilgrim track its authenticity was never known for sure, but at least it appeared to have far more going for it than the "Earth Included" event...(You'll find further details on these formations in our database)
The Aztec Dartboard - Boxley nr. Maidstone July/August 1996
Doubtless in time the field that's overlooked by The White Horse Stone will be honoured by "The Circlemakers"...Everytime I see it with ripened crop I feel sure it's gagging for it!
© G.Tucker 2005-6
End Notes
Bibliography Williams Coles Finch, In Kentish Pilgrim Land, Daniel, 1925