Geology Site Account

Site name: St. Helens Chapel, Wicken Bonhunt

Grid reference: TL 5114 3349

Brief description of site:

The small 11th century chapel of St. Helen is one of the oldest buildings in Essex. Apart from the front wall, which is brick, the walls consist almost entirely of glacial erratic boulders and cobbles gathered locally from the fields 1,000 years ago.

A large variety of rock types are present (inside and out) including at least 16 pieces of Hertfordshire puddingstone. The north-eastern corner is supported by a large sarsen stone (a 'pagan stone').

The building is thatched with limestone quoins.

St. Helen's Chapel. Photo: G. Lucy