The Weald has one of the highest concentrations of ponds in the South East. Many have developed as by-products of past human activity such as mining and marling whilst others were created for use as drinking ponds for farm animals. The Weald has one of the highest concentrations of ponds in the South East. Many have developed as by-products of past human activity such as mining and marling whilst others were created for use as drinking ponds for farm animals. Larger hammer ponds were created to power the bellows and hammers of the iron industry, and mill ponds to power water mills.
Although many ponds will need little or no management others may need to be cleared of invasive plants such as duckweed, blanket weed and the invasive plant and water fern. Also, as part of the Million Ponds Scheme volunteers are always needed to help create new ponds. This may involve lots of digging, or the more entertaining job of ‘puddling’ (stamping down) clay with your feet.