Sturry: Historic Buildings and Routes Along the Stour

Sturry offers different points of interest to help you plan your trip: historic buildings with several clearly identifiable periods of construction, and route descriptions that focus on the river, lake, nature reserve and woodland. If you are looking for a hotel in Sturry, these themes can help you choose the focus of your stay.

Church and Historic Buildings

St Nicholas's Church is a Grade I listed building. The chancel and nave walls are of Norman origin. The tower can also be dated by its features: it has three stages, the lower stages of which date from the 12th century; the battlements were added in the 15th century. Anyone interested in architectural history can compare these different dates in a single building without treating them as one construction phase.

The School Hall offers a different architectural accent. This long timber-framed building dates from the early 16th century and was originally one of the buildings of the manor farm belonging to St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. Georgian House differs in both material and date: it is a two-storey building from the late 18th century, built of yellow brick. Together, the three buildings provide concrete examples for looking at timber framing and brickwork, as well as medieval and later structural elements.

The earliest charter relating to Sturry also provides a historical point of reference: it records a land grant from the year 605. The surviving charter is a copy from the 11th century. The year of the event and the date when the surviving copy was made should therefore be distinguished. This adds an early written reference to the architectural history without conflating the two dates.

Routes Between the Stour, Lake and Woodland

Route 2 of Train Rides to Ramble, Sturry follows the Stour Valley Walk through Stodmarsh and the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve to Grove Ferry. On the return journey, it passes through the nature reserve again and follows grassy paths along a ridge above the River Stour. The description therefore covers both the section through the protected area and the return route above the river. Check the path conditions before setting out, and for this route also check access to the nature reserve.

The other route descriptions focus on different landscapes. Route 1 loops around Westbere Lake and follows the River Stour. Route 4 passes through Broad Oak, crosses the Sarre Penn stream and continues into Honey and Thornden Woods. This lets you compare the named destinations: Route 1 connects the lake and river, while Route 4 mentions a stream and woodland. Conditions can also change on these routes, so it is sensible to check the current situation before your walk.

The routes should be read as separate descriptions, not as one continuous trail: Route 1 is defined by Westbere Lake and the River Stour; Route 2 by the Stour Valley Walk, Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry; and Route 4 by Broad Oak, Sarre Penn and the woods. When planning your stay, you can use these named landscapes as a guide without assuming a walking time or difficulty level.

Choosing a Focus for Your Trip

For a culture-focused trip, the main options are St Nicholas's Church, The School Hall and Georgian House, with their different architectural styles and periods. If you would rather focus on the landscape and walks, you can distinguish the routes by their stated destinations. Route 2 also specifically mentions a section through a nature reserve; Routes 1 and 4 offer other named landscape features.

This comparison can help you decide whether Sturry suits your interests before you choose a hotel. The key question is whether you would rather explore the surviving buildings and their history, or include one of the described landscapes in your plans. The historical details offer a different point of reference from the routes: they give dates and materials, while the route descriptions name their destinations and landscape features.

Discover more destinations: Westerham, Sandwich, Coldred, Hythe, Stelling Minnis, Nonington, Ashford, Birchington.

For the broader travel overview: Kent.