Discover Tilmanstone

Tilmanstone reveals itself through a range of historical traces: the Church of St Andrew brings together building phases from the 12th to the 18th century, while Tilmanstone Colliery represents the area’s mining history. There is also a textile artwork, historic buildings and a geological site nearby. When planning your trip, it is worth considering architectural details, former coal production and scheduled events separately. This will also help you take account of the special visiting arrangements at the mining site.

Church and historic art

Several building phases stand side by side in the Church of St Andrew: its core dates from the 12th century, the tower from the 13th century, the nave from the 14th and 15th centuries, and the south porch from the 18th century. The different sections are several centuries apart, making the building’s long history tangible through specific parts of the structure.

The older fabric also includes a 12th-century font. Its square basin is designed with arcading and stands on five columns. St Andrew is also home to the Tilmanstone Tapestry: a red velvet seat cushion cover from the 16th century, embroidered with metal threads in a Moorish style that was widespread in England at the time. The stone font and the textile work represent different materials and periods.

Historic buildings

Tilmanstone Village Hall was originally built as a Methodist chapel in 1874. It therefore dates from a considerably later period than the medieval core of St Andrew. The hall is wheelchair accessible; check that this is still the case before you travel.

Dane Court Lodge is a gatekeeper’s house from the late 19th century. Its design includes a timber frame and plaster, walls clad in red brick, and a flint plinth. The contrast between these materials gives the building a different architectural character from the church and the former chapel.

Mining history and geology

Tilmanstone Colliery, near Tilmanstone, operated from 1906 to 1986; the first coal was mined in 1913. The operating period and the start of coal production therefore did not begin in the same year. The mine used a unique aerial ropeway to transport coal: containers carried it to the Port of Dover, at a rate of about 120 tonnes per hour.

Tilmanstone Colliery Tip is also part of this story. It is a regionally important geological site, made up of Carboniferous sedimentary rocks around 310 to 305 million years old. Visits to the tip must be arranged in advance. Visitors need an induction and protective equipment, so do not plan a visit as a spontaneous detour.

Planning walks and events

The Four Pits Walk leads to the former colliery site at Tilmanstone. Changes to the route may be necessary on some sections. Bear this in mind before including the walk in your plans.

Tilmanstone Village Market takes place on the first Saturday of each month from 10 to 11 am; check the specific date before you travel. A family service at St Andrew is listed for the fourth Sunday of each month at 10 am. Check this date before your visit too. These events fall on different weekends and at different times, making it easy to fit them into your travel plans.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Swanley, Staplehurst, Brookland, Hoath, Westerham, West Kingsdown, Sandhurst, Benenden

For the regional travel overview: Kent.