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A lost art dating back to Victorian times will once again be recreated in Folkestone’s Lower Leas Coastal Park when new information panels are installed. 

They will be mounted on replica Pulhamite rock – a man-made cement that looks just like real rock. The project is part of Shepway District Council’s redevelopment of the park, which runs along a mile-long stretch of undercliff. Two phases of the park’s facelift have already been completed and the park recently secured the nationally-acclaimed Green Flag for being one of the best parks in the country. 

Pulhamite rock was used in 1921 to create the zig-zag path that leads from The Leas to the park, but the process dates back to the early 1800s when James Pulham and his son, also James, became one of the most distinguished firms of Victorian landscape gardeners with a flair for this unusual work. 

The original James Pulham was born in 1793, and he passed on his skills through four generations to the succeeding eldest son - each in turn called James. 

The company is probably best remembered for its picturesque rock gardens, ferneries follies and grottos. Although natural rock was the company’s first choice, if this was not available or was too expensive, the gardeners would create their own by building rough shapes out of old bricks and rubble and them coating them with Pulhamite – the company’s own proprietary brand of cement. 

It was used throughout the country, as well as Folkestone’s zig-zag path. The earliest surviving Pulham garden is at Highham Court near Gloucester where James Pulham II was commissioned to create a spectacular rock garden. Pulhamite stone can also be seen in the grounds of Sandringham, at Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire and at Madresfield Court near Malvern. 

The fourth James Pulman died in 1957 and the family house and business in Broxbourne were demolished in 1967 to make way for a new station car park and a block of flats.  

John Cann from ARC Design of Tontine Street, Folkestone who is creating the Pulhamite mounts for Shepway Council, said the secret formula for the original Pulhamite recipe was lost with the last surviving rock builder. 

“But it seems to have never been an exact science with different gardeners having their own mix. I have been carrying out trials and have come up with something that will be in keeping with the Pulhamite stone on the zig-zag path.” 

Research by Robert Holden, who is working with ARC Design, reveals that the mix on Pulham Rock examples in Ramsgate and Folkestone seems to have varied, particularly in colour, according to where the work was to be undertaken and to clients’ requirements at that time.  

Cllr Rory Love, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services said it was great to see a tradition being kept alive. 

“The Pulhamite rocks have been a feature of The Leas and coastal park since the zig-zag path was created in the 1920s. I am sure that not everyone realises they are not the real rocks. But they have their own place in local heritage and it’s great to know that history is being recreated and will live on in the park’s 21st century redevelopment.” 

Claude Hitching, grandson of Frederick Hitching who was foreman of work on the zig-zag path when it was created, said he was delighted that the council was once again creating an interest in the zig-zag path. 

“I have a particular interest in this as I believe this was probably the last major project on which my grandfather worked for the Pulhams.” 

The 16 information panels, to be completed and installed by December, tell visitors about the heritage, natural history and recent redevelopment of the coastal park - which a nationally-acclaimed Green Flag this year for being one of the best parks in the country.