The Demolished Nagden Bump: An Artificial Hill Near Faversham Creek

 

The demolition of the Bump

I thought it worth while having a compilation of information about the Nagden Bump created as I noticed the only page that discussed it has gone off line and is only available as an archive page: 

https://web.archive.org/web/20191025080702/https://www.faversham.org/history/people/beowulf

There is surprisingly little else online, and even only one historic aerial photo and no labelled OS maps.  There seems to be uncertainty where it actually was, I think it was where there was a Trig Point (19ft above sea level) and not the larger bank that is referenced by Kent Archaeological reports.   It now has a Solar Farm over it and  the archaeological investigations prior to it being built didn't find anything.

 

The Demolished Nagden Bump: An Artificial Hill Near Faversham Creek

Nagden Bump was an artificial hill located near Faversham Creek in Kent that was removed by the Southern Water Company in 1953 during sea defense repair work. Archaeological evidence suggests the site had historical significance, with Iron Age and Roman pottery fragments discovered at its location. Historical records and maps indicate Nagden was one of several peninsulas jutting into the ancient Faversham estuary before extensive land reclamation occurred, forming part of the complex geographical evolution of the Faversham Creek area. While documentation of the Bump itself is limited, its removal represents an intersection of infrastructure development, archaeological discovery, and the changing coastal landscape of North Kent.

Geographic Location and Physical Description

Nagden Bump was situated next to Faversham Creek in Kent, forming part of what historical records describe as the Nagden peninsula. Based on the available information, Nagden was one of several peninsulas that once jutted out into the Faversham estuary before land reclamation projects significantly altered the landscape^[1]. The original Faversham Creek and its tributaries once covered an impressive 1,378 acres, compared to merely 43 acres in modern times, indicating the dramatic transformation of this waterway system^[1]. Nagden, along with other peninsulas including Oare, Thorne, Davington, Clapgate, Ewell, and Graveney, would have created a complex coastline within what was once a much larger estuarine environment^[1].

Historical accounts suggest that the Bump itself was artificial in nature, as confirmed by the engineer involved in its removal^[1]. While specific details about its dimensions or exact appearance are not extensively documented in the available materials, a photograph or image dated around 1895 apparently existed, as referenced in Arthur Percival's History of Faversham Creek^[2]. This suggests the Bump was a notable landmark in the area for at least half a century before its removal.

The location of Nagden placed it within a rich geological context. The Faversham area features distinctive valley formations described by geographers as "rias" - essentially valleys that have been drowned by the sea^[2]. These formations create the branching creek systems that characterize the local landscape and are the result of marine flooding of what was originally a "dry valley" topography^[2].

Archaeological Significance

The archaeological importance of Nagden Bump is evidenced by the discovery of seven sherds of Iron Age and Roman pottery at the location after its removal^[3]. This finding suggests human activity at or near the site during these historical periods, potentially indicating that the artificial hill might have had cultural or strategic significance in ancient times^[3]. The presence of both Iron Age and Roman artifacts points to continued use of the area through different historical periods.

The archaeological context of Nagden fits within the broader historical narrative of the Faversham area, which has yielded numerous significant archaeological discoveries. The surrounding region has evidence of Iron Age farmsteads, Roman villas, and medieval structures, indicating continuous human habitation and activity over millennia^[1]. The Swale Archaeological Survey has documented various sites in the vicinity, including a large area of flint and Roman bricks that formed a permanent hard or landing place along the ancient water's edge^[1].

While the archaeological record specifically related to Nagden Bump is limited in the available documents, the pottery findings suggest that further archaeological investigation might have revealed more about the site's historical significance and its relationship to the ancient landscape and human settlements of the Faversham area.

Removal in 1953 and Its Purpose

Nagden Bump was removed by the Southern Water Company in 1953, specifically for the purpose of repairing breached sea defences in the area^[1]. The engineering work appears to have been part of infrastructure maintenance and flood protection efforts along the North Kent coast. The engineer involved in the removal project noted that the hill was artificial, confirming that it was a man-made rather than natural geographical feature^[1].

The timing of the removal in the early 1950s places it in the post-World War II era when significant infrastructure and rebuilding projects were taking place throughout Britain. The specific circumstances that led to the breaching of sea defences necessitating the removal of Nagden Bump are not detailed in the available sources, but coastal erosion and flooding have been persistent challenges along the Kent coastline throughout recorded history^[2].

The decision to remove the Bump entirely rather than incorporate it into new sea defences suggests that either its composition was deemed unsuitable for sea defence purposes or that its removal provided materials needed elsewhere in the defence system. Alternatively, its position may have interfered with the planned alignment of new sea defences. Without more specific engineering records from the Southern Water Company from this period, the exact technical considerations remain speculative.

Historical Context Within Faversham's Evolving Landscape

The story of Nagden Bump is inextricably linked to the broader geological and historical development of the Faversham area, particularly the evolution of Faversham Creek and its surrounding landscape. The region has undergone significant changes over millennia due to both natural processes and human intervention^[2].

Geological evidence shows that the creek systems around Faversham were formed during the post-Ice Age period when meltwater carved valleys through the North Downs^[2]. These valleys, which once carried substantial streams, gradually dried up as climate conditions changed, though springs continued to provide fresh water sources for the creeks^[2]. The position of Nagden within this system made it part of a complex interaction between land and water that has characterized the area since prehistoric times.

The medieval and post-medieval periods saw extensive land reclamation or "inning" projects that dramatically reduced the tidal area of the Swale estuary^[1]. Before these projects, the Faversham Creek estuary would have covered an area from Norman Hill to Goodnestone, approximately 4½ km in width and 3 km in depth^[1]. The reduction in the tidal area affected the ability of receding tides to remove alluvium from the creeks and estuaries, gradually changing the navigability and character of waterways like Faversham Creek^[1].

The area around Nagden has historical significance beyond just its physical geography. The nearby Thorne peninsula contained Iron Age and Belgic farmsteads, a Roman villa, and the royal Abbey of St. Saviour founded by King Stephen and Queen Matilda in 1147^[1]. This rich historical context suggests that Nagden itself may have played a role in the cultural and economic life of the region throughout different historical periods.

Conclusion

Nagden Bump represents an intriguing footnote in the history of Faversham and its creek system - an artificial hill with enough local significance to be photographed in the late 19th century and referenced in historical accounts, yet ultimately sacrificed to modern infrastructure needs in the mid-20th century. Its removal in 1953 by the Southern Water Company illustrates the ongoing tension between preserving historical landscapes and meeting contemporary needs for flood protection and infrastructure development.

The archaeological findings at the site, particularly the Iron Age and Roman pottery sherds, hint at a deeper historical significance that was perhaps not fully appreciated at the time of its removal. In modern archaeological practice, such a site would likely undergo thorough investigation before any destruction, but standards in the 1950s were different.

The story of Nagden Bump also serves as a reminder of how dramatically the landscape around Faversham Creek has changed over time - from a sprawling estuary with peninsulas and islands to the more contained waterway system visible today. This transformation, driven by both natural processes and human intervention, continues to shape the environmental and historical identity of Faversham and the North Kent coast. While Nagden Bump itself may be gone, its brief mentions in historical records provide a window into the complex and layered history of this evolving landscape.

Written by Perplexity AI engine.

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1.       https://www.kafs.co.uk/pdf/port.pdf           

2.      https://favershamcreektrust.com/arthur-percivals-history-of-faversham-creek/      

3.      https://webapps.kent.gov.uk/KCC.ExploringKentsPast.Web.Sites.Public/SingleResult.aspx