Cottington Hill

Hill, Mountain in Kent Thanet

England

Cottington Hill

Railway bridge over Cottington Road The Ashford, Canterbury and Ramsgate line crosses. — Railway bridge over Cottington Road Credit: Robin Webster

Cottington Hill, located in Kent, England, is a prominent hill known for its picturesque landscapes and historical significance. Standing at an elevation of approximately 188 meters (617 feet), it is considered a notable landmark in the region. The hill is part of the North Downs, a range of chalk hills that stretches across southeast England.

Cottington Hill boasts breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, with its rolling green fields and meandering rivers. It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers, who are drawn to its natural beauty and tranquility. The hill is adorned with an assortment of flora and fauna, including wildflowers, oak trees, and various bird species.

The historical significance of Cottington Hill can be traced back to the Iron Age, as archaeological remains have been discovered in the area. These include ancient burial mounds and remnants of Iron Age settlements, suggesting that the hill was inhabited thousands of years ago. Furthermore, during the medieval period, Cottington Hill was used as a site for quarrying chalk, which was then used for construction purposes.

Today, Cottington Hill offers visitors the opportunity to explore its trails and soak in the stunning vistas. A network of footpaths and bridleways crisscrosses the hill, providing access to its various viewpoints. Additionally, the hill is home to a diverse array of wildlife, making it a haven for nature lovers. Cottington Hill truly encapsulates the natural beauty and rich history that Kent has to offer.

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Cottington Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.326739/1.3524311 or Grid Reference TR3363. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Railway bridge over Cottington Road

The Ashford, Canterbury and Ramsgate line crosses.

Robin Webster

Derelict signalbox

There used to be sidings leading to Richborough Power Station, so this signalbox may have been used to operate the points, on the main line, for the sidings. It may have also been used for trains using a railway line, which the Royal Engineers built from 'Weatherlees Junction' on the SECR. The line ran along the north side of the derelict power station (now known as TR3361 : Thanet Wind 132kV Onshore Substation) (pace recent publications, this line was not the same as the power station spur), crossed the Thanet to Sandwich road just north of the filling stations and arrived at the New Quay behind Pfizer's sports ground. It then ran down the east side of the road, crossed the Stonar Cut and split in two at the Red Lion pub, about where the entrance to the recycling plant now is. One branch crossed the road, and both ran along the road verges to army camps where Pfizer's now is. The eastern branch also served Pierson's Quay. Some anonymous army official coined the name 'Richborough Port' Link

John Baker

Hengist Way, Cliffsend

The railway bridge is ahead

David Howard

Railway bridge over Hengist Way, Cliffsend

The road is built in a cutting for around a mile, while the railway is on the original ground level.

David Howard

Hengist Way, Cliffsend

David Howard

The Ramsgate exit from the Cliffsend Roundabout

David Howard

Hengist Way approaching Ramsgate

David Howard

Canterbury Road West by Kent International (Manston) Airport

You can see the airport on the right

David Howard

Gate beside A256

Beyond the gate, the grass covered track used to be a railway line, which the Royal Engineers built from 'Weatherlees Junction' on the SECR. The line ran along the north side of the derelict power station (now known as TR3361 : Thanet Wind 132kV Onshore Substation) (pace recent publications, this line was not the same as the power station spur), crossed the Thanet to Sandwich road just north of the filling stations and arrived at the New Quay behind Pfizer's sports ground. It then ran down the east side of the road, crossed the Stonar Cut and split in two at the Red Lion pub, about where the entrance to the recycling plant now is. One branch crossed the road, and both ran along the road verges to army camps where Pfizer's now is. The eastern branch also served Pierson's Quay. Some anonymous army official coined the name 'Richborough Port' Link

John Baker

Looking WNW along a former railway line

The grass covered track used to be a railway line, which the Royal Engineers built from 'Weatherlees Junction' on the SECR. The line ran along the north side of the derelict power station (now known as TR3361 : Thanet Wind 132kV Onshore Substation) (pace recent publications, this line was not the same as the power station spur), crossed the Thanet to Sandwich road just north of the filling stations and arrived at the New Quay behind Pfizer's sports ground. It then ran down the east side of the road, crossed the Stonar Cut and split in two at the Red Lion pub, about where the entrance to the recycling plant now is. One branch crossed the road, and both ran along the road verges to army camps where Pfizer's now is. The eastern branch also served Pierson's Quay. Some anonymous army official coined the name 'Richborough Port' Link

Although puddles are visible on the track, it was firm underfoot. Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

Looking ESE along a former railway line

John Baker

Derelict building

Due to the dense bramble growth, I gave up trying to get any closer.

John Baker

Row of lampposts along main railway line

I wonder if they were installed, when there was a junction here, on the line between Minster and Sandwich, for sidings used by the former Richborough Power Station.

John Baker

Site of former railway junction

On the line between Minster and Sandwich. It was constructed by the Royal Engineers and the railway line then ran along the north side of the derelict power station (now known as TR3361 : Thanet Wind 132kV Onshore Substation) (pace recent publications, this line was not the same as the power station spur), crossed the Thanet to Sandwich road just north of the filling stations and arrived at the New Quay behind Pfizer's sports ground. It then ran down the east side of the road, crossed the Stonar Cut and split in two at the Red Lion pub, about where the entrance to the recycling plant now is. One branch crossed the road, and both ran along the road verges to army camps where Pfizer's now is. The eastern branch also served Pierson's Quay. Some anonymous army official coined the name 'Richborough Port' Link

Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

Looking ESE along a former railway line

Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

Looking WNW along a former railway line

The tree on the right can also be seen, lit up by the sun, in the view of TR3262 : Looking ESE along a former railway line. Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

Looking ESE along a former railway line

Photographed from beside the tree seen in the view of TR3262 : Looking WNW along a former railway line but looking the other way. Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

Looking SE along a former railway line

The track ends at a gate, which is just visible but can be better viewed as TR3362 : Gate beside A256. Pontoon sections of the Mulberry harbour were stored on the Weatherlees railway sidings during 1944 and were moved from there by Bulleid Austerity Q1 class locomotives.

John Baker

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Cottington Hill is located at Grid Ref: TR3363 (Lat: 51.326739, Lng: 1.3524311)

Administrative County: Kent

District: Thanet

Police Authority: Kent