IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Cockpit Close, HIGH WYCOMBE, HP15 6ET

This enclosed public footpath leads from Cockpit Road, then across Hughenden Parish Field at Great Kingshill to Common Road.

The quantity of water in the pond is symptomatic of the lack of rainfall in south-east England.

An unusual pond well below street level, with a grassy slope at one end. I guess this would have been for animals to come down and drink in days gone by. A notice on the wall says that the pond was restored in 2008. It probably looks better in the summer without all the dead stuff in it.

Cockpit Hole is surrounded by a metal fence as it is deep and a lot larger than it first looks. In 2008 the hole was spruced up with access provided by steps to wooden walkways and viewing areas above and around a pond. Whether or not it has been stocked with fish I could not see. The origin of the hole is somewhat sketchy, but one explanation below comes from the "Geological Sites" section of the Prestwood Nature website. "Swallow-holes occur most commonly in the hard limestones on the north and west of Britain, but similar phenomena occasionally manifest themselves in the chalk regions. They occur where underground water has worn channels through the chalk and the chalk above them has gradually weathered away, suddenly giving way so that the overlaying clay falls into a huge hole. These swallow-holes can be differentiated from quarries by the fact that their sides are steep all the way round, ie there is no graded access to cart out excavated material. A good example can be seen near the north edge of Atkins Wood. The large depression known as Cockpit Hole in Great Kingshill may also have had its origin in this way, as it is too deep and steep-sided to have ever been useful as a pond, and (contrary to legend) was never used as pit for cock-fighting."

Cockpit Hole is surrounded by a metal fence as it is deep and a lot larger than it first looks. In 2008 the hole was spruced up with access provided by steps to wooden walkways and viewing areas above and around a pond. Whether or not it has been stocked with fish I could not see. The origin of the hole is somewhat sketchy, but one explanation below comes from the "Geological Sites" section of the Prestwood Nature website. "Swallow-holes occur most commonly in the hard limestones on the north and west of Britain, but similar phenomena occasionally manifest themselves in the chalk regions. They occur where underground water has worn channels through the chalk and the chalk above them has gradually weathered away, suddenly giving way so that the overlaying clay falls into a huge hole. These swallow-holes can be differentiated from quarries by the fact that their sides are steep all the way round, ie there is no graded access to cart out excavated material. A good example can be seen near the north edge of Atkins Wood. The large depression known as Cockpit Hole in Great Kingshill may also have had its origin in this way, as it is too deep and steep-sided to have ever been useful as a pond, and (contrary to legend) was never used as pit for cock-fighting."

Situated in Stag Lane HP15 6EW, this telephone kiosk has a BT notice on its left indicating that this kiosk will shortly be removed due to lack of usage. Update: this telephone kiosk has since been taken out.

Looking north from the crossroads by the pond.

A small cul-de-sac of bungalows and houses.

Hughenden Parish Council taken from Common Road. As you can partly see there is a wide gap either side of the gate. I assume no animals are kept here and the gate is to stop vehicles. A public footpath leads directly across the centre of field and becomes enclosed before leading to Cockpit Road.