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- Burham, Kent (St Mary's Church)
Standing peacefully under the Downs, on the pilgrims’ route to Canterbury, is this stocky flint-and-ragstone church with its stocky west tower.
It was deserted when the village moved to higher ground. St Mary’s is curious architecturally: north and south aisles were added to the original 12th-century structure and later pulled down, leaving clear evidence of its history.
The rustic, partially plastered interior is lovely and there are two ancient Norman fonts.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
5 miles north west of Maidstone, off A229
Nearest railwat station: Snodland (0.7 miles)
TQ 717 620
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
St Benedict's Church, Paddlesworth, Kent
A 900-year-old Pilgrim church
St Michael's Church, East Peckham, Kent
Set romantically on a hilltop with glorious views
Rochester Castle
Strategically placed astride the London Road, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding.
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham
Heritage site
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Click on the video to play it.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Kent County Guide (PDF, 4.8mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Kent. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Benedict's Church, Paddlesworth, Kent
A 900-year-old Pilgrim church
Paddlesworth Road, Paddlesworth, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5DR
See church page
St Michael's Church, East Peckham, Kent
Set romantically on a hilltop with glorious views
Old Church Lane, East Peckham, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 5NG
See church page
St Mary's Church, Higham, Kent
A remote church on the edge of the Thames marshes
Church Street, Lower Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7LS
See church page
Rochester Castle Strategically placed astride the London Road, guarding an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/rochester-castle
Upnor Castle Set in tranquil grounds adjoining a riverside village, this rare example of an Elizabethan artillery fort was begun in 1559 and redeveloped in 1599-1601, to protect warships at Chatham dockyards. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/upnor-castle
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Kent churches are in CCT's South East region.
Let’s Visit Kent website - We are very grateful to Let’s Visit for providing our 360 tours of Kent churches. Please visit their website!
Best Places to Visit in Kent website
Kent County Council website history section
Kent Historic Churches website
Kent is in the Diocese of Canterbury
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
There is a grassy slope to the churchyard and two steps down into the church.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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I first stumbled upon this church while riding my bike 2 years ago. You follow a deserted track along the river, and suddenly you see a spire in the distance. There is almost nothing else around, just a few houses. There is something very tranquil about the church, the graveyard and the surroundings. You can almost sense the ghosts... imagine when the village revolved around this church, people walking up the old road to reach it, pilgrims and tradespeople being ferried across the river from Snodland, seeking sanctuary there. Now there is no-one, the village is far away up on the hill. You can sit in the graveyard and see weasels scurrying across the road, climbing up the church walls. Foxes are lurking in the bushes. Grey herons fly overhead.
It is also beautifully kept and indeed still used by the local community for events, even weddings I believe. The interior is beautifully plain and wonderfully cool on a hot day. A haven of peace.
Shirley, I first visited this church in February 2010 when I was tracing my family roots. My Grandfather was born in burham in 1908. I visited with my sister in law and we walked through the grounds in the snow.
I have since meet with other family members one of whom still lives in the village and now Burham has a special place in my heart. It is like coming home.