Updates

Posted on 13th March 2026 by Ruiha Smalley

This month we are back in the park, focusing on the archaeology along the edge of the A2, which may be affected by future infrastructure works. News from site on Friday was that we had a stretch of narrow gauge railway line in-situ, so we will continue uncover it and see how it links in with the other sections we have previously recorded…there’s clearly more to do in this area!

Later in the year we will return to the brick kiln site as well, but the A2 area is our current priority.

Some events for this year’s Festival of Archaeology have been announced and Andrew will be giving a lecture at Maidstone Museum. It’s titled “Looking for old Mote House – Maidstone’s hidden history”. Date – Thursday 6th August from 7pm to 8.30 pm. The cost is £15 per person and booking is essential as places are limited. Please click here for further details on how to book.

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SWAG is 20

Posted on 10th February 2026 by Ruiha Smalley

Shorne Woods Archaeology Group has been active for 20 years! Community archaeology really is alive and thriving in Kent. This is a shout out to everyone involved with SWAG over the past 20 years, be it excavating, researching, finds analysis or in any other capacity.

We’re having a party on Saturday 11th July at Shorne Country Park. Save the date and come and join us. More details to follow nearer the time. 

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AGM news from 2025

Posted on 26th December 2025 by Ruiha Smalley

Please click here for yearly report presented at the SWAG AGM for 2025.

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Winter works continuing…

Posted on 7th December 2025 by Ruiha Smalley

The plot thickens at our current dig site at the park.

We now have three walls and a stoke hole, plus a possible wicket gate! This is all supporting the idea that we have a late 18th-early 19th century industrial site, producing bricks, tiles and pavers! There’s a nice range of small finds and evidence for the military reuse of the area during WW2…

We also believe we have found part of the loading floor of the brick and tile kiln, surviving in one corner of the demolished structure. The photo below shows the NW of the kiln, with the remains of the floor and four courners of the superstructure. We currently date it to between the mid 18th to mid 19th centuries. This dating is based on evidence from claypipe bowls and map research.

brick kiln under excavation

The dig has so far revealed one area of the floor, two stokeholes and three walls. We hope to find the fourth wall next. A second structure has been identified in an adjacent pit, two metres away, and we are trying to ascertain if this is a separate building or another phase of the first.

brick kiln under excavation

Work will continue on-site across the winter, weather willing, on Thursdays and Fridays. If you’d like to get involved please contact us at SWAGkent2023@gmail.com

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Brick Works update

Posted on 30th November 2025 by Ruiha Smalley

As with all excavations every day brings new evidence which debunks all previous theories! This dig is no exception. Further finds of clay pipes in the lower fill is suggesting the site was in use as early as the mid 18th centaury. 

The uncovering of two, possibly three, walls and a probable stoke hole suggest this is the kiln and not the wash back as first thought.

Our aim now is to find the full extent of the structure, find the other end of the stoke hole (not easy as there is a large tree directly above it) and to try and understand the reason for the adjacent pit and how /if it is connected to the kiln.

As always you are welcome to come and join us. We have the tools if you have the time. Email SWAGkent2023@gmail.com for details.

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