Elham in the depths of Kent

A few days during the school half term to charge the batteries before the darkness of winter descended. Although we had been to Kent before, the village of Elham was a new area and allowed us to show Hayley and Izobelle some of the places we had visited before. The village of Elham was a picturesque and a very quiet place, and the house we had for the week was very well equipped, having plenty of room and a beautiful garden. Shame it wasn`t summer time! The only minor problem was getting to anywhere else was rather slow, as all surrounding roads were so small and potholes everywhere! 

The village sign.

Our holiday house with the view from part way down the garden.

Looking toward the bottom of the garden.

View of St Mary`s Church from the bedroom window.

The village itself was full of historic buildings. After the Conquest, William I granted the Elham estates to his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, and, following Odo’s disgrace, to William d' Aubigny. Later John, Earl of Eu, a relative of the Conqueror, established himself in Elham by building a palace near to St. Mary's Church.

South view of the current 800 year old, Grade 1 listed building. The porch has just undergone additions of new doors, toilet facilities with baby changing, new access aids and also fitted new central heating. All paid for by donation! Brilliant! Obviously an important hub for this pretty village.

The rectangular piers of both north and south arcades with their pointed arches and boldly carved stops are of late C12 date. Between them hang some C18 text boards. The character of the church is given in the main by late C19 and early C20 work. Typical of many of our churches.

Nearby, in the main street, sits `The Abbot's Fireside`- originally built as an inn called the Smithie’s Arms in 1451. The pub still retains features from the 15th and 16th centuries - including a huge medieval fireplace. It was sold in 1671 and some time after was converted into four cottages. This remained the case until the tavern was re-opened in 1939 and at some point before 1965, the inn’s name was changed to the Abbot’s Fireside.

It has its share of legend. One being that King Charles II hid from the Roundheads in a “priest hole” within the main fireplace, and another being that the Duke of Wellington is reported to have been based here before the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Who knows? but it adds to the atmosphere.

Timber framed Old Bakery. It consisted of a house and shop dated around C18 or earlier, with C18 alterations. This is in the Square, Elham and illustrates some of the beautiful buildings in Elham.

One of the lanes running past the church. Obviously someone with a sense of humour!

And finally, it's Halloween soon!

A great place to stay and to explore. As for those narrow, potholed roads I mentioned - it's off to Folkestone and Hythe tomorrow to get a tyre replaced. Just what we needed!

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