Discover Doddington: Gardens, Landscape and History

When looking for a hotel in Doddington, the character of the destination is a helpful starting point. The village combines a dry valley bounded by steep slopes, gardens, a walking trail through woodland, and a layered architectural history. Doddington Place Gardens are located in an area officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; at the same time, the village’s dry valley is one of the landscape forms typical of the Kent Downs.

Landscape, Woodland and Garden

The “A Tapestry of History and Wildlife” walking trail leads through the woodland of Doddington Place. On its section through Doddington, the route passes a church and its churchyard, which local residents look after to protect wildlife. If you plan to follow the trail, check the latest route information beforehand.

The history of the Woodland Garden at Doddington Place Gardens offers another perspective on the landscape. It was established in the 1960s after three acres of deep, acidic clay soil were discovered there, kept moist by underground springs. The soil type and water conditions were therefore among the factors that made the garden possible.

Church and Manor House: Different Architectural Histories

The Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist is a 12th-century parish church. Around 1200, it was extended to the south, with a further extension in the 15th century. It is built of flint; the tower is timber-framed and clad in wood, and the tiled roofs have a simple covering. The dates and construction methods offer clues to both its medieval origins and later changes.

The descriptions of the materials offer a distinct way to explore the church. Flint characterises the church building, while the timber framing and wooden cladding describe different aspects of the tower: its structure and its outer covering. The simply covered tiled roofs add to these details. Those interested in historic architecture can compare materials and building elements as well as the phases of construction.

Sharsted Court represents a different period. The manor house dates from the 14th to the 17th century, was remodelled in 1711, and extended in the 1880s and around 1911. Its main gates date from the 18th century and were re-erected there in 1882. The differences are clear: the parish church is notable for its medieval extensions, while Sharsted Court is marked by remodelling and later additions. The gates’ re-erection in 1882 took place in the same decade as one of the manor house’s extensions.

A Local Food Business

S.W. Doughty is an award-winning traditional butcher with its own abattoir and farm shop in the village of Doddington, Kent. Check the business details before visiting.

Discover more destinations: New Romney, Cliffs End, Lower Halstow, Stelling Minnis, Tudeley, Shadoxhurst, Ulcombe, Broad Oak Brede.

For the wider travel guide: Kent.