The Kent Coalfield was a coalfield located in the eastern part of the English county of Kent.
Coal was discovered in the area in 1890 while borings for an early Channel Tunnel project were taking place and the resultant Shakespeare colliery lasted until 1915. In 1911, investigation into whether there was coal or not was planned. Six ‘bore holes’ were put down in search of coal (the locations were Rushbourne, Hoads Wood in Sturry, Herne Bay, Reculver, Chitty (which is near Chislet) and Chislet Park – which is near the future site of Hersden). In the early years many collieries were sunk but failed and the East Kent Light Railway was built to exploit the anticipated business. Extensive plans had been drawn up by 1914 for major coal exploitation in east Kent, but the outbreak of war and disappointing test results eventually resulted in only four collieries surviving: Betteshanger, Chislet, Snowdown and Tilmanstone. Had coal been more easily accessible there is no doubt that the open, rural landscape of east Kent would have changed beyond recognition.
Read more about Kent Coalfield: Geology, Test Bores
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