Villages
Kingsdown
The village of Kingsdown lies within
the Parish of Ringwould-with-Kingsdown, located at the northern end
of the White Cliffs of Dover and south of Walmer and Deal on the
English Channel. The village was a fishing village and sits below
the cliffs.
The village has a butcher, a
hairdresser, a newsagent and a post office on the main Upper Street
which winds its way up the hill, as well as a tea room and three
pubs, two of which are on the beach. Kingsdown also has an 18 hole
golf course on the cliff tops.
Kingsdown is located on the South
Foreland Heritage Coast and the countryside around the village
within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a
nationally important protected landscape.
St Margaret's
The lovely seaside village of St Margarets is set in the heart
of White Cliffs Country. It first appeared in the Domesday Book as
"Sancta Margharita" with continuing history revolving arouind its
location. From late Victorian times it developed as a holiday
resort and retreat for the well to do, amongst which Lord Byron,
Ian Flemming and Noel Coward all stayed or lived here.
During the Second World War the village was subject to almost
daily bombardment and became known as "Hell-fire Corner".
Today the village and Bay offer an inspiring backdrop to
spectacular countryside and coastline and to a wide range of
activities.
From a luxurious 4 star country house hotel, great Kentish pubs
and restaurants, St Margarets has something for everyone.
More
about St Margarets >>
Alkham
St. Anthony’s Church, overlooking the village green in
Alkham, is Grade I listed and the surrounding
churchyard which is a wildlife site, has 15 Grade 1 listed
headstones. It was once linked to St. Radigund’s Abbey and inside
the church is a coffin lid bearing one of the oldest inscriptions
in Kent.
The village has a number of excellent places to stay and
eat.
Things to do in Alkham>>
Temple Ewell
Temple Ewell was the local commandary of the Knights Templar.
Founded sometime before the 8th century, Temple Ewell
was at one time owned by Bishop Odo, half brother of William the
Conqueror. It is situated in the Dour Valley which stretches to the
sea. Temple Ewell is served
by Kearsney railway station.
Capel Le Ferne
Above the southern end of the Valley on the cliff tops’
overlooking the English Channel is the village of Capel le Ferne,
home to the Battle of Britain Memorial.
Things to do in Capel >>
Barfrestone
The tiny village of Barfrestone’s most famous
landmark is St. Nicholas’ Church, known worldwide for its wonderful
stone carvings around the doors and windows. Another unique feature
is its bell which hangs in the branches of a massive yew tree in
the church yard, rung by means of a rope from within the church
Goodnestone
Goodnestone Parish comprises the villages of
Goodnestone, Chillenden, Rowling, Knowlton and
Tickenhurst. Goodnestone, locally pronounced
‘Gunston’, is the largest of the villages and was once part of the
Kentish estate of the Saxon Lord Godwin, father of King Harold,
which subsequently passed to William I. Since 1765 it has belonged
to the Fitzwalters and still has the appearance of an estate
village, with its distinctive architecture, red brick houses with
lead paned arched windows
Things to do in Goodnestone >>
Shepherdswell
Shepherdswell has the unusual distinction of having two names,
also known as Sibertswold, both indicating that this was once an
area of ‘weald’ or forest. Shepherdswell Green is the oldest part
of the village and the two fine old yew trees in the churchyard are
supposedly around 1000 years old.
More about
Shepherdswell>>
Coldred
Voted Kent's best-kept village,
Coldred is one of the highest places in East Kent
at nearly 400 feet above sea level. The oldest buildings around the village green
are those belonging to Chilli Farm. The farm's name dates from the
1500’s, but its meaning remains unknown. The church, dating from
the 8th century, is one of the few in England dedicated
to St. Pancras. The village pond, opposite the Carpenter’s Arms,
was used in the 17th century for trying witches.
Barfrestone
The tiny village of Barfrestone’s most famous
landmark is St. Nicholas’ Church, known worldwide for its wonderful
stone carvings around the doors and windows. Another unique feature
is its bell which hangs in the branches of a massive yew tree in
the church yard, rung by means of a rope from within the
church.
Eastry
Eastry is close to Sandwich and once boasted a Royal Palace for
the Kings of Kent, as early as 660 AD. The Church of St. Mary
the Virgin, dating from around 1230, was built lavishly by the
monks of Christ Church Abbey, Canterbury who owned the Eastry Manor
at that time. This Norman church certainly replaced a Saxon
building. Of special interest are the medieval frescoes known as
"St. Mary's Medallions" – rows of
seven "medallion" wall paintings.
Wingham
Wingham is a busy village that retains many of its shops and
services. Important historically, its houses reflect many periods,
from timbered Tudor to modern, with certain Flemish influences
peculiar to East Kent. A College of Secular Canons was founded here
in 1286 and although none of the College Buildings remain, some of
the canons’ houses (in particular on Canon’s Row) are still here.
St. Mary the Virgin dates from the early 1200s. In the
12th century a local brewer ran off with the rebuilding
funds for the Nave; hence there are now wooden columns instead of
stone. Wingham has four Wealden Hall Houses that contribute to its
historic atmosphere and once boasted three railway stations
Things to do in Wingham >>
Ash
Ash, also known as
Ash-Next-Sandwich, is on the Roman road from
Sandwich to Canterbury. It retains 11 of its 12 original manor
houses and the Church of St. Nicholas is a significant
landmark, having a very tall tower and needle-like spire. St.
Nicholas is known for its number of monumental brasses and
effigies.The Ash Level extends to
the River Stour crossed only by old drove ways and it is here that
you will find the isolated village of
Westmarsh. The River Stour divides the Ash Level
from the Minster Level and it on this section of the river that the
Saxon Shore Way passes.
Worth
Worth has an interesting historic conservation area with several
fine houses, such as Barton House by the duck pond. The village
church of St. Peter and St. Paul is of Norman origins and has
unusual wooden shingles on the tower and a roof reminiscent of an
upturned boat. The oldest and largest Quercus Ilex (Holm Oak) in
the area can be viewed from the footpath adjacent to Ilex Cottage
behind the churchyard. Village cricket games are popular with many
overseas visitors wanting a glimpse of traditional English life.
The RSPB has recently acquired new nature reserves in the
parish.
Staple
In Staple, the
Church of St. James is dedicated to St. James The Great,
Apostle and Martyr, the patron saint of all travellers and
pilgrims. See the stunning
21st century designed three light stained glass window in the south
wall of the Nave, called the Pilgrimage Window. Staple was on the
old East Kent Light Railway and had a busy station serving both
Staple and Ash. Its main traffic was the outward flow of flowers,
fruit and vegetables
Lydden
Head down to Temple Ewell and follow the River Dour
Trail to the Crabble Corn Mill,
a working museum that shows Georgian and
Victorian engineering excellence at work using one of nature’s most
powerful forces – water.
You can
explore Lydden
Temple Ewell (James Teacher) Reserve managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust
before lunch or refreshments at the Lydden Bell or the Hope Inn.
You can download a map of the Reserve
here.
Further information>>