Natural England - Swanscombe Skull Site NNR
Swanscombe Skull Site NNR
Swanscombe Skull Site NNR is a small geological site of national importance.
County: Kent
Main habitats: Geological
Area: 2 Ha
Site map: Nature on the Map.
The reserve is owned by Natural England and managed by Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council.
The name of the site refers to a fossilised human skull, pieces of which were discovered here in 1930s and 1950s. These skull fragments are some of the oldest human bones ever found in the UK. Further details and a map of the site can be found at the Dartford Town Archive.
Location and access
The site is adjacent to the Swanscombe Leisure Centre in Craylands Lane, Swanscombe, and is accessed from the Centre's car park.
Access by car is via minor roads from the B259 (Stanhope Road) and A226 (London Road).
The nearest railway station is Swanscombe (approximately 1 km away) on the London to Gillingham line, and is served by South Eastern Trains.
For details of local bus services click here.
Facilities
Toilet and refreshment facilities (including facilities for the disabled) are available at the Swanscombe Leisure Centre. The Centre also hosts a small display about the site. There is a short waymarked path to the NNR, and interpretation panels provide information on the site's areas of interest.