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Charing, Kent

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A small village of attractive cottages and the remains of an 11th century palace used by the Archbishops of Canterbury. Charing was a stopover place on the major pilgrim trail to the shrine of Thomas a Becket at Canterbury. The village has a wealth of historic buildings, and these are outlined in a Village Trail leaflet put out by the Charing and District Local History Society, and available at a number of local outlets. In addition, there is a village tourist map detailing many of these historic buildings.


Chief among these is the Bishop's Palace, used by the Archbishops of Canterbury as a stopping place between their residences in London and Canterbury. The palace is located behind a high wall just before the church. It was reportedly a favourite residence of Thomas a Becket. He would not have recognised the present buildings, though; these date from the early 14th century. The very large great hall of the palace is now a barn, the top of which can be seen from the churchyard. The private apartments of the archbishop face the main gates which give onto the former market place. In an interesting historical touch, the Archbishop of Canterbury still robes in the Palace when he visits Charing.

The parish church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 13th century (chancel and nave), with the addition of transepts in the 14th century. The striking tower was added in the 15th century.

Tucked behind the church on Vicarage Close are two historic buildings, the oldest dating to the 14th century and thought to be the oldest building in Charing. The second building, the current vicarage, dates to the 15th century and was originally the church hall before being conveted nto a dweling. Closer to the High Street at Number 4, The Market Place is a half-timbered dwelling that was formerly the poor house. On the rear wall is a small window through which alms were given to poor travellers.

Along the High Street are a number of fascinating historic buildings. The most interesting may be Peirce House (yes, that's the correct spelling). This is a lovely half-timbered house set back from the road behind a high wall. Over the door are the arms of the Brents and Nevilles, celebrating the 1501 marriage of Margaret Brent to George Neville, Lord Abergavenny.

Another interesting building is Elizabethan Court, built in the 16th century. Originally timber, it was refaced in brick in the 17th century. It was once a coaching inn called The Swan, and it still boasts the cast iron brackets that carried the inn sign. More modern is Venture Works, 20th century home of the Cackett family, who invented the early motorcycle called the Invicta. A very early petrol pump still stands outside the house. Across the A20 from the upper High Street is The Old House, a charmingly askew half-timbered building dating to the Jacobean period. This was once a poor house.

The village of Charing was granted to the Church of Canterbury in 765-80 by Egbert II, King of Kent. The manor of remained in the hands of the archbishop of Canterbury until the Reformation.
Charing, Kent, England

About Charing
Attraction Type: Village
Location: On the A20 5 miles north west of Ashford
Location map
Charing Photos
OS TQ957482

Heritage Highlight: The remains of an 11th century palace favoured by Thomas a Becket.
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Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information Photos

Nearest Attractions Charing Palace - 0 miles (Historic Property) Charing, St Peter and St Paul - 0.7 miles (Church) Pluckley, St Nicholas - 2.6 miles (Church) Godinton House and Gardens - 3.1 miles (Historic House) Belmont House - 5.6 miles (Historic House) Smarden, St Michael the Archangel - 5.7 miles (Church) Doddington Place Gardens - 5.8 miles (Garden) Willesborough Windmill - 5.9 miles (Historic Property)

Nearest Towns and Villages Pluckley - 2.6 miles away Smarden - 5.7 miles away Ashford - 5.9 miles away Wye - 5.9 miles away Godmersham - 6.6 miles away Chilham - 7.7 miles away Leeds - 8.3 miles away Biddenden - 9.1 miles away

Photos of Charing

Peirce House

Cycling badge

Vicarage Close

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Nearest Accommodation to Charing

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

3 Malthouse Cottages - 4.4 miles from Charing Boughton Aluph, Kent Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £300

The Smithy - 7.6 miles from Charing Chilham, Kent Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £260

Heron Manor - 7.7 miles from Charing Chilham, Kent Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £420

More Self Catering near Charing

Nearest Hotels

Holiday Inn Ashford North - 1 miles from Charing Ashford, Kent Stay from: £80.00

Eastwell Manor - 3.1 miles from Charing Boughton Aulph, Kent Stay from: £70.00

Eastwell Manor Hotel - 3.2 miles from Charing Ashford, Kent Stay from: £110.00

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Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

The Oak - 0.8 miles from Charing Charing, Kent From: £65.00

WOODLAND BED AND BREAKFAST - 2.7 miles from Charing Hothfield, Kent From: £60.00

Elvey Farm - 2.9 miles from Charing Egerton, Kent From: £45.00

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Ashford
Tourist Information Centre
18 The Churchyard
Ashford
Kent
England
TN23 1QG
Tel: 01233 629165
Fax: 01233 639166
Email: tourism@ashford.gov.uk
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