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Halstead Milestone: London 18 ~ Sevenoaks 6

Situated just outside Badgers Mount in Halstead on Old London Road. Just along from Badgers Rise going towards Knockholt Station. The border between Badgers Mount and Halstead runs along this fence-line.

1749-1860
The exact age of the milestone is unknown but this section of turnpike road was established in 1749. It also contains a cut 'Bench Mark' (No. 53) from the 'Primary Levelling' carried out between 1840-1860

After Network Rail replaced the fencing (2021/22) along Old London Road, the old milestone was no longer upright - see photo below.

After contacting Kent County Council Heritage team and Halstead and Badgers Mount Parish Councils in January 2022 the milestone has now been put in place again.

Originally this milestone had a plaque stating: London 18 ~ Sevenoaks 6.
Via Halstead PC and the KCC Heritage team I've asked if a replacement plaque can be installed. Either a modern replacement stating the original text/mileages or a reproduction plaque.

Halstead Milestone

Halstead Milestone, Old London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent

Rear of stone Milestone

Milestone laying on the ground - Old London Road, Halstead, Sevenoaks
The Old London Road milestone January 2022 before being put back upright.

Kent Historic Environment Record

Website link to the KCC Historic Environment Record for this milestone: HER TQ 46 SE 14

These are the recorded details:
Monument details
HER Number: TQ 46 SE 14
Type of record: Building
Name: Milestone Old London Road, Halstead
Summary: Milestone Old London Road, Halstead
Grid Reference: TQ 4931 6237
Map Sheet: TQ46SE
Parish: HALSTEAD, SEVENOAKS, KENT
Monument Types: MILESTONE (Unknown date)

Benchmark

The milestone also has a carved Bench Mark.

First Primary Levelling, England & Wales (1840-60)
London to Brighton, Mark No. 53.
No. 53. Mark on the 18th milestone from London Bridge and 6th from Seven Oaks ; 1.65 ft. above surface - at 438.413 feet above Liverpool datum.
Data from: www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm33117

More reading on bench marks can be found here from Ordnance Survey

The oldest house in Badgers Mount also has a cut benchmark

Halstead Benchmark 53, Old London Road

Missing Plaque

There are 4 other local milestones in Farnborough village just a few miles away, they are all Grade II Listed.
They are well documented on the Farnborough village history website.

This photo of the local Farnborough milestone shows the similar design with cast iron plaque in place.

Local Farnborough Milestone showing the same design