The small church of St Nicholas in Barfreston (or Barfrestone) is one of the hidden gems of Norman atchitecture in Kent, possibly in all of England. In the medieval period the village of Barfreston was a stopover place for pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St Thomas a Becket at Canterbury. That may account for the likeness of Becket carved on the south door, the first known representation of Becket in the country.
Barfreston,
Kent,
England
A historic church beside the River Medway, on the ancient pilgrim's route to anterbury. St Mary's is built of local ragstone and flint, and consists of a nave, chancel, a west tower. There used to be north and south aisles, but these were pulled down at some point in the past.
Church Road,
Burham,
Kent,
England,
ME1 3XY
Even if Thomas à Becket had chosen somewhere else to earn his martyr's crown, Canterbury would still deserve attention for its role in the spread of Christianity throughout England. It was here that St. Augustine began the conversion of the pagan islanders in 597.
A small church with historical associations to kings, martyrs, archbishops, and chancellors. The king in question was Henry II. After his conflict with Archbishop Thomas a Becket led to the latter's murder in Canterbury Cathedral, Henry performed a public penance. On 18 July, 1174 he rode to the outskirts of Canterbury, where he stopped at St Dunstan's church, donned penitential garments, and removed his shoes. From here he walked barefoot to Becket's cathedral where he was scourged by the monks.
80 London Road,
Canterbury,
Kent,
England,
CT2 8LS
St Martin's can claim to be the oldest church in England; certainly it is the oldest still in regular use. St Augustine set up a church here when he arrived in Kent in 597 AD to convert the inhabitants to Christianity. St Martins thus forms part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, along with Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine's Abbey. Unlike those other two historic attractions, St Martin's remains unknown to most visitors to Canterbury, and that's a real shame, for it is a lovely historic building.
North Holmes Road,
Canterbury,
Kent,
England,
CT1 1QJ
The tower is all that remains of the medieval church of St Mary Magdalene. The church was pulled down in 1871 after it had become ruinous. The tower is a 1503 rebuilding of an earlier medieval structure.
Burgate,
Canterbury,
Kent,
England
This ancient church is the oldest pre-Conquest church still standing within the city walls of Canterbury. It is a few short steps away from the remains of Canterbury Castle.
Church Lane,
Canterbury,
Kent,
England,
CT1 2PP
St Peter's church stands back from the bustle of Canterbury High Street, fronted by a small garden that seems to create an atmosphere of relative calm. The church is medieval, but its roots go back much further - the same can be said for much of Canterbury in truth! It is entirely possible that the medieval church was built on top of a very early church established for Christian citizens of Roman Canterbury.
High Street,
Canterbury,
Kent,
England
A small Norman church in a rural setting in the Kentish Weald. The most interesting feature of St Thomas Becket church are the 13th century wall paintings that dominate the north wall. The wall paintings were uncovered during restoration in 1927.
Church Lane,
Five Oak Green Capel,
Kent,
England,
TN12 6SX
A small medieval church in an isolated position looking across open downland towards Folkestone. There is only one window, of Norman date, to illuminate a simple interior. The most interesting feature of the church is a three-arched 14th century stone rood screen, which has an arched opening over the rood. This is thought to be a unique feature in English churches, and is quite striking to view.
Manor House Lane,
Capel-le-Ferme,
Kent,
England,
CT18 7EX
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