Ringwould: Churches, Gravestones and Historic Houses

Ringwould’s architectural history brings together several clearly distinct layers of time. At the Church of St Nicholas, medieval church architecture, a tower built later and precisely datable details come together. Gravestones and historic houses broaden the picture to include family memories, inscriptions and different building materials. If you are considering Ringwould as a travel destination, these themes can shape the focus of your visit.

Church of St Nicholas: Building Phases and Details

The Church of St Nicholas is a parish church dating from the 12th century; the present church is thought to have been built around 1130. The west tower was built in 1628. The north arcade has four bays from the 14th century resting on rough octagonal piers. A bay is a section of an arcade; four bays divide it into clearly identifiable sections. The dates around 1130 and 1628 refer to different building phases and should therefore not be read as a single date.

Two original Norman windows offer further clues to the design: one depicts St Nicholas in the west wall of the tower, while the other is in the south wall near the porch. The chancel also has two trefoil windows. The trefoil refers to their three-lobed outline, which differs from the shape of the Norman openings. Details on the tower also include a brass memorial plaque for John Upton, who died in 1530; it is mounted on a wooden wall panel.

Churchyard: Yew Trees and Gravestones

Two ancient yew trees stand in the churchyard, estimated to be about 1,300 and 1,000 years old respectively. The locations of the gravestones are also precisely described: south of the Church of St Nicholas are two listed gravestones; one commemorates Richard Blake, who died in 1723. About five metres east of the church is a listed group of seven gravestones belonging to the Taylor family. The yews and gravestones thus offer contrasting points of interest, between landscape and personal remembrance.

Historic Houses and Their Features

The Old Bakehouse has a date plaque bearing the inscription “T E D 1737”. Laundry Cottage’s combination of materials can be described in particular detail: the house is timber-framed, externally plastered and clad in brick on the right-hand side elevation. The plaque and the facade features each represent a different kind of architectural detail—an inscription in one case, construction and surfaces in the other.

Home Farmhouse and Wall includes a flint wall about 20 metres long, dating from the 17th century. The interior is also thought to date largely from that century. Ringwould House was built in 1813 by Sir John Soane for Reverend John Monins. The building is constructed of yellow brick, has a slate roof and a large central chimney. The interior is said to contain panelling and fitted bookshelves. Here, a precise construction date can be considered alongside specific details of materials and interiors.

Walking towards Ringwould

ER306 is a public footpath used by walkers travelling through Kingsdown Wood towards Ringwould. Check the path conditions before setting out, as they can change. This keeps the walking directions separate from the village’s historic details and provides an independent point of reference for planning a walk.

Discover more destinations: Birchington, West Farleigh, Romney Marsh, Romney Marsh, Swanley, East Farleigh, Eastry and Wrotham.

For the full travel overview: Kent.