Geology Site Account

Site name: Saffron Walden Museum Boulders

Grid reference: TL 5383 3871

Brief description of site:

An interesting collection of erratic boulders can be seen in the grounds of the Museum, the most prominent being a very large and complete septarian nodule over two metres (6 feet) in diameter obtained when digging foundations for Acrow’s works (now Ridgeons) on the Ashdon Road. It is covered with striations made during its transport within an ice sheet some 450,000 years ago.

Also of interest is a fine basalt boulder 75 centimetres (2’6”) long by the museum entrance door.

Large septarian nodule in the grounds of Saffron Walden Museum. It was found locally in the boulder clay (till). Photo: G.Lucy