Guess the Place

[MartinR]

The circular structure is not a chantry chapel is it?
Edit, should that be on the site of a chantry chapel?

[CAT]

Though the circular building was regarded as a statement structure of its time, sadly the building, and its function, lasted for 180 years before being demolished and replaced by a more typical church addition. There was also another structure of similar function on the church's southern side, being commissioned by a notable Kentish family and designed by a very notable architect of his time, this also suffered the same fate as the first building and was remodelled barely 80 years after its construction.

[CAT]

Further SE(ish) than Faversham.


One of the 'castles' has frequent open days to its gardens, the other 'Castle' is strictly private and separately owned despite being intrinsically linked in history and their locations.

[John Walker]

I think I might have found it as well but can't find any reference to the circular building. It's not a view I'm familiar with.   Like JohnFilmer, I'll hold fire in hopes of new participants.

[johnfilmer]

Another SWAG and I think that I have it, but will hold back as I’ve been too successful lately, time for others to win.

[CAT]

Not a chapter house as you say MartinR, but you are heading in the right direction.


Not Holy Trinity, Sittingbourne DaveTheTrain, you need to head inland to the southeast(ish)


The village if it can be called a village possesses two castles, one of which is hardly known, whilst the other is hardly a castle in the true sense

[DaveTheTrain]

It looks very similar to Holy Trinity, Sittingbourne.
DTT

[MartinR]

Odd.  It looks like a chapter house, but that would imply some sort of monastic institution.  Brick makes it a bit late for that though.  I suppose it could be a Lady Chapel, but they are not normally circular and not normally at the east end.

[CAT]

Not a crematorium John Walker, neither the brick structure or the chimney are linked in function. The chimney being for a small fireplace in the church for the early school.

[John Walker]

I haven't found the church yet, but was the brick structure a crematorium as I see there's a brick chimney attached?

[CAT]

Many thanks johnfilmer and MartinR. Its not an area I know particularly well, though I had worked nearby many years ago.


 My next is another period view of a church, which is virtually unaltered except for the now missing circular 'structure', which originally possessed a specific function, to the north of the chancel. But where and extra points for details about the brick structure.

[MartinR]

The church is centered at:

• Nat Grid:     TQ 70138 61223
• Post Code:  ME6 5HT
• WGS84:      51°19'29"N E000°26'26"E or 51.3247,0.4404

The "Medway Valley Line"  was originally the North Kent Line of the South Eastern Railway (SER).  The line from Paddock Wood to Maidstone had been completed in 1844, and in 1856 this was extended to Strood.  In 1899 The former rivals of the London, Chatham and Dover (LDCR) agreed to joint operations and from then on the company was known as South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR).  After the date of the map, under grouping, it became part of the Southern Railway.  After nationalisation it was the Southern Region of British Railways.  At what point the title "Medway Valley Line" was adopted I've not been able to ascertain, but I'm fairly confident it was after grouping (1 January 1923).  If you look closely at the map shown, the bottom of the ampersand is visible, giving "SE&CR", and the name "North Kent Li" is obviously the North Kent Line.

[johnfilmer]

Well done CAT, it is the southern end of Snodland, the land being Birling Common.


The church was referred to as being at Lower Birling, some relatives were married there 1919 and that sparked an interest in it. I used to drive past it every day for about 8 years, area has changed a bit from that map!


Over to you CAT.

[John Walker]

Well, I've learned something there.  I've always thought of that section of track as the Medway Valley Line.  Obviously some changes over the years. Well done CAT.

[CAT]

Got it eventually. Section of line to the west of Brookland Lake, Snodland. The full title to the southwest is Birling Common?