Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314

Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314, London, Larkfield

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Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393350
Date first listed:: 06-Jul-2009
List Entry Name:: Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314
Statutory Address:: Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314, London, Larkfield

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393350
Date first listed:: 06-Jul-2009
List Entry Name:: Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314
Statutory Address 1:: Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314, London, Larkfield

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314, London, Larkfield

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Kent
District:: Tonbridge and Malling (District Authority)
Parish:: East Malling & Larkfield
National Grid Reference:: TQ 69987 58314

Reasons for Designation

The milepost in Larkfield on the London Road (A20) at NGR TQ6998558314 is designated for the following principal reasons:

* As a well-surviving example of a probably early-C19, cast-iron milepost attached to an earlier milestone; * An identical milepost on this road, two miles nearer to London, is currently listed; * The development of the national transport system, particularly of the turnpike system, and a reminder of the different perceptions of distance in the pre-motorised age.

Details

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 16 April 2021 to reformat the text to current standards

1347/0/10026

EAST MALLING AND LARKFIELD Larkfield LONDON ROAD (north side) Milepost at NGR TQ6998558314 06-JUL-09 II Cast-iron milepost attached to earlier milestone. Probably early to mid C19.

DESCRIPTION: V-section, white painted, cast-iron milepost attached to similarly painted earlier milestone. On the head of the milepost, parallel to the road, the legend, in black-painted relief, reads 'To/LONDON/30/East Malling'. Below this on the right (east facing) angle the legend reads 'WROTHAM/6' and on the left (west facing) 'MAIDSTONE/4'.

HISTORY: from the late C17 to the mid C18 many turnpike trusts were established along roads connecting London with major provincial cities and ports. Milestones along them became prevalent in the mid C18 when turnpike trusts were encouraged to provide them, the 1744 Turnpike Act supposedly making the provision compulsory on most turnpike roads.

This cast-iron milepost at Larkfield on the road from London to Folkestone and Dover appears in its current position on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1862 and is probably therefore in its original location. This part of the road was turnpiked between 1750 and 1780 and there was a toll house at Larkfield, reportedly demolished in the 1960s. As it is attached to an earlier milestone the cast-iron milepost is probably from the early to mid C19 although it is hard to date exactly.

A nearly identical milepost (Grade II listed - 179382) survives two miles closer to London on this stretch of the road at Ryarsh and a damaged example reportedly survives to the east in Ditton.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 505941
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Wright, G, Turnpike Roads, (1992)

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.