Haresfoot Grange, Berkhamsted

Planning application:  4/01641/16/FUL (Dacorum Borough Council)

During an evaluation of a proposed new equine facility at Haresfoot Grange near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire a chalk dene-hole was discovered (NGR SP 99388-01697). It consisted of a saucer-shaped profile 8m wide and 1.8m deep; below this  was a vertical shaft 1.8m wide of which a further 2m was machine excavated. A large quantity of sorted flint had been used to back-fill the upper levels of shaft which was devoid of datable artefacts. The chalk pit is believed to pre-date the creation of the parkland so an 18th century date is probable though not certain.