St Mary
Frittenden, Kent
A lovely Grade II* Victorian village church and church yard, at the heart of Frittenden.
Opening times
Open 10am to 4pm daily.
Address
High Street
Staplehurst
Kent
TN12 0AX
View map
How to get here
51.1581326, 0.550322
Driving directions from Maidstone (North of Staplehurst):
Follow the A229 (signposted Hastings) from Maidstone and pass through Linton, Stilebridge and Cross-at-Hand. You will enter the village from the North, your first landmark being the railway bridge.
Carry on over the railway bridge, along the high street, straight across at the crossroads and pass the parade of shops which will be on your right. Continue past the shops and up the hill. The church will be on your left and Bell Lane with a free car park will be on your right just after the Kings Head public house.
Driving directions from Cranbrook (South of Staplehurst):
Following the A229 (signposted Maidstone) from the Cranbrook direction, you will enter the village from the South, your first landmark after Knox Bridge being the Convent on your right and the 40 MPH speed limit (watch the new flashing speed sign).
Carry on along the road and you will see the petrol station on your right. The church will be visible ahead and to the right on the hill. As you climb the hill you will see Bell Lane with a free car park on your left just before the Kings Head public house, opposite Peter Jones Opticians.
The church is at the south end of the village just a short walk off the A229, a Roman road that forms the main high street. It dates from the early part of the last Millennium; the south door has been dated to around 1050 and displays some very fine early ironwork on it.
They say that the church was built around 1100. It served the farms which evolved from dens or pasture land used by herdsmen from the area around Maidstone. It is older than the village.
The Anglo-Saxon charters mention specific dens Spilsill and Aydhurst, while the name Staplehurst was first recorded in 1226.
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Captivating architecture
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Enchanting atmosphere
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Fascinating churchyard
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Magnificent memorials
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Social heritage stories
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Spectacular stained glass
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Wildlife haven
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Accessible toilets in church
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Accessible toilets nearby
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Parking within 250m
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Ramp or level access available on request
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Steps to enter the church or churchyard
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Walkers & cyclists welcome
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Church of England