Old Maps of Pratt's Bottom

Sue Short (see history page) has an extensive map collection of the area, but here are a couple I have found:

Until the new round through Polhill was built in about 1836, the main road from London to Rye and Hastings ran through the village. From the mid 18th century this was a turnpike and the investment allowed traffic to increase. The old tollgate cottage, shown on this map, was demolished when the A21 was widened in the late 1920s.

Moggs map of the London to Hastings turnpike, 1817

Incidentally one 18th century map shows Pratt's Bottom as Locks Bottom. Probably this was a simple carographical mix-up due to the presence of the tollgate.I believe the straight part of Rushmore Hill (shown as "Richmore Hill" on some old maps) was probably built to give a more even gradient than the old route along Hookwood Road. Thirsty or tired travellers would stop at the Bull's Head or the Porcupine Inn (now a private house) further up the hill. In the winter coaches would struggle up the escarpment at Star Hill, between Knockholt and Dunton Green, hence the move to build the new road via Polhill.

The earliest detailed Ordnance Survey map, first edition six inches to one mile, is dated 1871. At the Green, the original nucleus of the village, was the Bull's Head Inn, a smithy and a cluster of cottages. With the constuction of the London to Chatham railway in the 1860s, houses were built at the north end of the village nearer to the main road. The late 19th century saw All Souls Church amd the United Reformed church built in the village. Note The Grange with its orchards behind, justto the north of the village proper.
 
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