The Sharstone
The Sharstone is a glacial erratic boulder mounted on a metal simulated tree trunk and was placed in front of Rose Hill House by Sir Edward Watkin MP who lived here from 1834 to 1901. It is believed to originate from the Lake District and was brought by Watkin from Woodhouse Lane Farm about 1892.
The Sharstone with the original plinth in view.
In the intervening years since the picture above the stone was gradually covered in Ivy and became invisible to the passing public and residents of Rose Hill. The Friends, with the support of current residents of Rose Hill House managed to get the ivy cut back to reveal the Sharstone. Just before this revelation of the stone Virgin Media started to install a junction box, directly in front of the stone. Happily once they understood that there was not just a bush behind the fence Virgin Media were happy to re-locate their box.
The Sharstone reappears after some years of neglect in 2018
A panoramic view of the Sharstone and the entrance to the woods on the right.