Discover Teynham: Church, Orchards and the Swale

Teynham offers a range of points of interest to help you plan your trip: the history of St Mary's Church and the Archbishop's Palace of Teynham, walks through orchard and farmland landscapes, and Swale Marina on Conyer Creek. This can help you decide whether church architecture, the history of fruit growing or waterside attractions best suit your interests during your stay.

St Mary's Church and the history of the palace

St Mary's Church is a Grade I listed building. Its flint masonry core dates from the 12th century. The complex includes a nave, aisles, north and south transepts, a chancel and a west tower. Its ecclesiastical history reaches further back: the church is one of Kent's minster churches, founded before the Norman Conquest of England. A transept runs across the nave.

The adjoining parish church was an important part of the layout of the Archbishop's Palace of Teynham. An extensive masonry complex immediately south of St Mary's may have been the site of the palace. Historical records, however, also place it north of the church. The southern complex is therefore a possible, but not the only recorded, location; it may also be on private land.

Fruit growing and walking routes

The First Fruit Walk passes through historic orchards associated with the orchards chosen by Henry VIII and the cherries characteristic of Kent. The route also passes through orchards, grain fields and strawberry fields; along the way, there are views of the remains of the region's brickmaking industry. The Conyer Loop of the First Fruit Walk is 2 miles (3.2 km) long—a specific distance to help you judge the walk by its length.

The First Fruit Trail begins near the site of Henry VIII's original 105-acre orchards at Osiers Farm and New Gardens, west of Station Road. Another historical connection to fruit growing is Richard Harry: the fruit grower who worked for Henry VIII planted 105 acres of land in Teynham with cherries and apples from abroad.

Conyer Creek and Swale Marina

Remains of the once-significant regional brickmaking industry can still be seen on the banks of Conyer Creek. Bricks were transported from there to the capital on sailing barges. The history of brickmaking offers a distinct perspective on the region's past, alongside the themes of fruit growing and churches.

Swale Marina is at the end of Conyer Creek, which branches off the Swale. Visitors can use the slipway to launch boats onto the Swale and take them out of the water. If you would like to include this option in your trip plans, check the boating arrangements before you arrive.

Discover more destinations: Broad Street, Romney Marsh, Herne Bay, Ulcombe, Queenborough, Ringwould, Worth, Woodnesborough.

For the broader travel overview: Kent.