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Church of St Mary the Virgin, Fordwich

Kent

Overview

Address

The Drove, Fordwich, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0DE
Where to find this church

Opening times

Open daily 10am to 3pm. For enquiries about this church, please contact the Local Community Officer Nick Watts by email.

Email address

nwatts@thecct.org.uk

Make a donation to this Church

About this church

900 years of craftsmanship in a lovely shingle church

This historic church stands in an idyllic spot near the River Stour, leaning somewhat, as a result of a fifteenth-century flood. Inside, the church is mellow and unspoilt, with seventeenth-century fittings and wall paintings. It is home to a strange carved stone, dating from around 1100. Nearly 1.7 metres long, the Fordwich Stone is thought to be a shrine made for the body parts - or relics - of a saint, maybe St Augustine of Canterbury.

There are also box pews and a corporation pew, seventeenth-century rails and altarpiece, and the Royal Arms and Commandments, painted on plaster in 1688. Earlier features include the twelfth-century font made of Bethersden marble and lovely fourteenth-century glass.

Fordwich Guide

To donate by text, please text 'FOH' to 70970 to donate £5 and to 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.

Access information

There is a gravel path up to the porch. There are two steps down into church. Uneven but flat floor. The church can be dark at times of low light.

Facilities & hire

Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number have heating, running water or toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. 

  • Church available for hire
  • Church available for Champing

Directions

Three miles north of Canterbury, off A28. Follow the Historic Church signs on A28 in Sturry along Fordwich Road and King Street. Church behind Fordwich Arms.

Transport

Nearest railway station: Sturry (1.5 miles). Bus route number 302.

History & further information

Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church 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 2012

This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Kent. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

Community information

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