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Woodchurch Tourist Guide
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Woodchurch church

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Henden Place

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The Green

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Houses

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The windmill

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Mill view

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Village pump

Area Guides: Woodchurch


Details: Woodchurch is a large village 5 miles east of Tenterden off the B2067. The village lies between Ashford and Tenterden on the edge of the Low Weald of Kent. The parish reaches 6 miles north to south and 4 miles east to west, one of Kent's largest. To the north lies rolling scenery and to the south-west is the level stretch of Shirley Moor leading to Romney Marsh. The low wooded hills overlooking Appledore and the Marsh are to the south-east. The surrounding area is designated as a 'Kent Special Landscape Area'. The skyline is dominated by two buildings – the church and the windmill. The Green is the core of the Conservation Area.

The first mention of the village is a record of the church in the Domesday Monochorum, where it is recorded that ‘Wudecyrce’ paid dues of 28d per year. The village became firmly established in the 13th century with the building of a large church - All Saints - made of Kentish ragstone. Although it was comprehensively restored between 1840 and 1850, it still has a 13th-century chancel and a famed brass of the 14th century on the pulpit floor, showing a floriated cross design. It is believed to be the third oldest in Kent and is in memory of the rector Nicholas de Gore from the early 1300s. The side aisles were added in the 14th and 15th centuries. A most unusual feature of the church is the human head sculptures, eleven of which can be found carved at the end of arches, seven inside the church and four outside. This trait can also be found in a number of churches on the Romney Marshes and are believed to date from the 13th century. It is likely that the sculptures were made by the same master craftsman.

The church has a curious four-faced clock and a spire which is 18 inches out of the vertical at the top. The tower houses 6 bells, which were cast in the early 17th century by Joseph Hatch of Ulcombe, three of these bells are still in use. The tower is supported by four very large buttresses which were most likely added at a later date, when subsidence was noticed. This is possibly the wooden church from where the village derives its name, or possibly the name is derived from the oak shingles used on the later stone building to roof the spire.

Originally, most of the houses were around the church and the Green. From the end of the 18th century, development stretched first along Front Road and later along Lower Road, filling the southern part of the village. In the last 50 years, development has taken the settlement northwards and to the south going beyond the original settlement.

Woodchurch has a wealth of listed buildings concentrated mainly around the Green and the church. There are still a dozen early Wealden Hall houses in the parish. Two prominent examples are to be found on the eastern edge of the Green - Henden Place and Place Farm. The oldest house is Diamond Farm built in the 1380s.

The Windmill that overlooks the village from the north has wide-ranging views over the Walland marshes to the English Channel coast. It is a good example of a Kentish smock mill and was originally one of a pair of windmills standing on this site, known locally as The Twins.

As with many villages in this area smuggling was prevalent in the early 19th century. Finally, in 1826, a battle took place between a gang of smugglers and the dragoons. It resulted in the smugglers being defeated, captured and transported to Australia. These smugglers were the leaders of the Aldington Gang, and once transported, the smuggling in the area reduced significantly.

Whatever the weather or time of year, no other attraction offers so much to see and do as the The South of England Rare Breeds Centre with its unique mix of fun, excitement and countryside adventure, set in 120 acres of unspoilt countryside. The Rare Breeds centre is run by Canterbury Oast Trust, a charity that provides homes, care and occupational opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.

Woodchurch Museum is based in an 18th century oak-framed barn and 17th century cart shed, on a rural site not far from the village centre. The collection is very varied, from wagons to tiny coins, from the Stone Age to the present, but all with a connection to the parish of Woodchurch. These artefacts, using a range of media, map out the story of the community from the time when Stone Age man passed by, to Woodchurch today with its community of 2,500 people. The story is told through its landscape, architecture, farming, schools, religion, wars, trades and professions and social life. Visit www.woodchurchmuseum.com

Woodchurch at present has three public houses, two of which are positioned close to the church. Both were built in the 17th century; the larger Bonny Cravat (Tel: 01233 860345) has since seen many changes both inside and out and has a restaurant, while the Six Bells (Tel: 01233 860246) retains an older Kentish look. The third is the Stonebridge Inn (Tel: 01233 860289) sited at the southern edge of the village in Brook Street.

The Granary Restaurant is in the South of England Rare Breeds Centre at Highlands Farm. The Granary is a commercial restaurant serving the general public visiting The South of England Rare Breeds Centre, a major tourist attraction. Tel: 01233 860 806.

Market
The nearest markets are in Tenterden and Ashford.

Taxis
Arrow Taxis Ltd, St. Georges Business Centre Brunswick Rd, Ashford 01233 666666
St Michaels Car Hire, Milroy House, Sayers Lane, Tenterden 01580 762277
Airport Cabs Direct, 8 Kings Chase, Ashford 0870 063 4288

Railways
The nearest railway stations are at Ashord (Ashford International) and Hamstreet.

Banks
The nearest banks are in Tenterden and Ashford.

Doctors
C M A Busk, The Surgery Front Road Woodchurch Tel: 01233 860236

Dentists
Ashford Dental Care Centre, 8 New Rents, Ashford Tel: 01233 639289
Ashford Nhs Dental Access Centre, Vicarage Lane Clinic, Vicarage Lane, Ashford Tel: 01233 204104
Easysmile, East Cross, Tenterden Tel: 01580 763686
Woodbury Dental Practice, 149 High Street, Tenterden Tel: 01580 762323

Hospital
The nearest is the William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, Willesborough , Ashford Tel: 01233 633331

Toilets
These can be found near the car park just south of the Green.

Click here to view accommodation in the Woodchurch area

Disclaimer: The information in this Tourist Guide has been researched from a variety of sources including books, articles and online information. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information the reader should check any specific facts for themselves before making any decisions based upon the said information.





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Another Kent Tourist Guide listing created by Let's Stay Kent.
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