{"id":"69c53a02948ce0defd0a449d","title":"Kentish Curiosities","path":"publications/annual-reviews/2025/kentish-curiosities","contentMarkdown":"# Kent(ish) Curiosities\n\n*I have a copy of \"The Rambler's Countryside Companion\", originally published in the 1930s. This prompted me to think about some unusual sightings that I have come across while walking in Kent.*\n\n![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/0114780a-83ab-4c11-9bf2-d87338e852f6.jpeg)\n\n## The Quintain Post in Offham\n*TQ 65733 57280*\n\nThis was an entertaining sporting device that tested horsemen's agility. Many spectators likely enjoyed some laughs. It consists of an upright post with a pivoting crossbar, with on one end, a flat board; on the other end, a sandbag. The rider had to gallop underneath swiftly, trying to hit the board with a lance so fast that they outpaced the swinging sandbag, which would then strike them on the back or head.\n\nSkilled riders could also quickly remove a small cap without disturbing the quintain arm. As late as the 1980s, a replica was used during May Day celebrations.\n\n![](https://kent.ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/2d1eeac6-bef4-4824-bfcf-e4084e9264d9.jpeg)\n\n## Knole Icehouse\n*TQ 53672 54254*\n\nBack in 2019, whilst exploring Knole House near Sevenoaks, I noticed a round building within the grounds — I had come across my first icehouse! This example has been recently restored by the National Trust. It was last used in the 1930s.\n\nIntroduced to Britain in the 1600s, icehouses were constructed either underground or partially underground to take advantage of the cooler temperatures of the soil. During winter, ice and snow were collected from lakes, rivers, and the surrounding land, then brought into the icehouse and insulated — often with materials like straw or sawdust. This allowed the ice to remain frozen for many months, sometimes lasting until the following winter. The ice was used during the summer months to keep beverages cool and to preserve food.","contentHtml":"

Kent(ish) Curiosities

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I have a copy of "The Rambler's Countryside Companion", originally published in the 1930s. This prompted me to think about some unusual sightings that I have come across while walking in Kent.

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The Quintain Post in Offham

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TQ 65733 57280

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This was an entertaining sporting device that tested horsemen's agility. Many spectators likely enjoyed some laughs. It consists of an upright post with a pivoting crossbar, with on one end, a flat board; on the other end, a sandbag. The rider had to gallop underneath swiftly, trying to hit the board with a lance so fast that they outpaced the swinging sandbag, which would then strike them on the back or head.

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Skilled riders could also quickly remove a small cap without disturbing the quintain arm. As late as the 1980s, a replica was used during May Day celebrations.

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\"\"

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Knole Icehouse

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TQ 53672 54254

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Back in 2019, whilst exploring Knole House near Sevenoaks, I noticed a round building within the grounds — I had come across my first icehouse! This example has been recently restored by the National Trust. It was last used in the 1930s.

\n

Introduced to Britain in the 1600s, icehouses were constructed either underground or partially underground to take advantage of the cooler temperatures of the soil. During winter, ice and snow were collected from lakes, rivers, and the surrounding land, then brought into the icehouse and insulated — often with materials like straw or sawdust. This allowed the ice to remain frozen for many months, sometimes lasting until the following winter. The ice was used during the summer months to keep beverages cool and to preserve food.

\n"}