Historic Churches in Kent
- Map of Historic Churches in Kent
- Map of ALL Historic Churches in England
- Map of all attractions in Kent
By far the most popular historic church in the county is Canterbury Cathedral, a destination for pilgrims since the 12th century, but there are a wonderful variety of other fascinating churches to see. Look for the Heritage Rating to get an idea of how we ranked each church for its historic interest.
St Botolph's is a lovely little 14th-century church in the grounds of Lullingstone Castle, accessed through the castle's Tudor gatehouse. Inside are a wealth of historic features including a 16th-century wooden screen, Georgian ceiling, unusual wooden font, and tombs of the Hart, Peche, and Hart Dyke families.
Lullingstone Castle, Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, Kent, England, DA4 0JA
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Fabulously carved 16th century wood screen
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Originally founded in AD 670 for the nuns of Minster Abbey, the current St Mary's dates to the 12th century and has been referred to as 'the Cathedral on the Marshes' for its size and impressive architecture. There are Roman bricks in the Norman tower and nave, beautifully carved 15th-century misericords, and a 12th-century font.
Church Street, Minster-in-Thanet, Kent, England, CT124HA
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Early 15th century carved misericors
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St Peter's church in Newenden stands on a small rise opposite the local pub and playing field. It's a beautiful old building, which dates primarily to the 14th century. The highlight of a visit is undoubtedly the superb font, which is richly carved with intricate designs of intriguing late Saxon or early Norman motifs.
A28, Newenden, Kent, England, TN18 5PN
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: A superbly carved late Saxon font, well worth seeing
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The ancient church of St Benedict stands on the course of the Pilgrim's Way and was probably used by many thousands of medieval pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.
Paddlesworth Road, Paddlesworth, Kent, England, ME6 5DR
Heritage Rating: ?
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One of the finest Norman churches in Kent, if not the whole south-east of England. Superb Norman carvings embellish the south doorway and the small priest's door, probably carved by the same masons who worked on the celebrated Barfreston church nearby.
Patrixbourne Road, Patrixbourne, Kent, England, CT4 5BP
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Superb Norman carvings around the south door and priest's door
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Pluckley is known as the most haunted village in England, but there's more to see than apparitions! For a start, there's the lovely old parish church of St Nicholas. There was a church at Pluckley at least as early as AD 1090, though it seems very likely that a Saxon building must have preceded it. The oldest section of the current church is the north-west corner of the nave, which dates to the Norman period.
Station Road, Pluckley, Kent, England, TN27 0QS
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: A very nice collection of medieval and Tudor brasses.
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A late Saxon church, founded in 1062 as a chapel of ease for Minster Abbey. Queen Victoria worshipped here as a child, and the churchyard is full of over 1400 memorials. The d'Este Mausoleum commemorates two grandchildren of George II, and there is a memorial to Sir William Garrow, the barrister who established the legal premise of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
High Street St Lawrence, Ramsgate, Kent, England, CT11 0QT
Heritage Rating: ?
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Although it is overshadowed by its near neighbour Rochester Castle, the cathedral has a fascinating history. Second only to Canterbury in age (the see was established in 604). For all its early history, the cathedral as we see it is mostly 12th century. The west door is a notable example of Romanesque sculpture. Rochester became an important pilgrimage centre in the 13th century when William of Perth, a Scot on his way to the Holy Land, was murdered there, and miracles were reported at his tomb. The pilgrims paid for the choir and presbytery.
Garth House, The Precinct, Rochester, Kent, England, ME1 1SX
Heritage Rating: ?
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The first church at Rolvenden was recorded in 1090. In was probably a wooden building of Saxon origin. In the 12th and 13th centuries that early building was replaced by the current stone church, which was then heavily remodelled in the 14th century to form the church we see today.
Rolvenden, Kent, England
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: 18th-century squire's pew, raised up above the chapel
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A lovely Norman church full of historic interest. Carved angels decorate the nave roof, and there are medieval tiles in St Margaret's Chapel. The 15th-century heraldic font bears the arms of Sandwich, and there are beautifully carved medieval choir stalls in the chancel.
Church Street, Sandwich, Kent, England, CT13 9EH
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Beautiful Norman tower
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