Guess the Place

[CAT]

That is their modern conjoined name MartinR, but prior to there joining they were both two separate parishes in their own right each with an historic parish church. The one for Shepherdswell, or Sibertswold to give its its other name, is dedicated to St Andrew whilst Colderd is dedicated to St Pancras. It is interesting to note that the main focus of Coldred village today is closer to the line of the A2, whilst the church sits about a mile to the north. This may suggest the church has its origins as a manorial chapel associated with a manor house, or Court Lodge.

[John Walker]

Excellent historical information CAT, as always.  thank you

[MartinR]

From the Historic England listing: 

Location  Statutory Address: CHURCH OF ST PANCRAS, CHURCH ROAD The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
  County: Kent
 District: Dover (District Authority)
 Parish: Shepherdswell with Coldred
  National Grid Reference: TR 27440 47594

so I think Lutonman can claim this as "Shepherdswell with Coldred" is it's official parish. 

[CAT]

Sadly, Lutonman it was not St Pancras Church, Shepherdswell, which is actually dedicated to St Andrew, but you were one village out  . Maybe a confusion as to the location of the church in relation to the village?


Though not naming the church MartinR, your co-ordinates are correct for St Pancras Church, at Colderd. The church itself, is a small two celled structure dating from before the Norman conquest, though it has been 'Victorianised' as a lot of churches were. Despite this, it still possesses some good pre-Norman indicators in its structure. Dedicated to St Pancras, he was a born in the classical city of Phrygia Salutaris (West central Anatolia, now Asian Turkey) to Roman citizen parents. In about c.303-4 A.D. at the age of fourteen he was beheaded for his Christian beliefs.


The church itself stand within a roughly circular churchyard, which itself forms the protected bailey to a later timber and earthen Norman 'motte-and-Bailey' castle. Whilst the modern lane dissects the castle in half, its substantial bank and ditch earthworks are still very visible from the other lanes and footpaths nearby. All in all, a fantastic historical and archaeological site that is largely bypassed by the crowds and I have spent many a walking break sat in the churchyard.


Over to you MartinR

[MartinR]

Grid ref: TR 27440 47594 according to the listing.  If you prefer lat/long 51°10'56"N 001°15'11"E  I'll leave CAT to write up the history and archaeology.

[Lutonman]

Church of St Pancras Shepherdswell ?

[MartinR]

The structure at the end is called a bell cote or bellcot, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell-cot  Double bellcots are fairly rare, usually they are single or triple.

[johnfilmer]

There appears to be two spaces, JW, but only one has a bell?

[John Walker]

Well, I've found churches with one external bell and churches with three but none with two so far.  (I expect there's a special name for external bells)

[CAT]

Again apologies, work always gets in the way of play.


Many thanks John Walker. Interestingly enough, I drove past that very shop about two days prior to you posting the image.


Here is my next, which is another church with a very intriguing history, not only the church itself, but the surrounding immediate landscape. 

[CAT]

Apologies for the delay, I shall remedy ASAP

[John Walker]

Could it be 'The Old Post Office' in Sissinghurst, now an antique/curios shop?

Spot on CAT.    Over to you 🙀

[CAT]

Could it be 'The Old Post Office' in Sissinghurst, now an antique/curios shop?

[Diapason]

A shot in the dark


The Fig Tree, Lenham?

[John Walker]

Current view, or historic?

Photo is as per the 2021 GSV but in B+W.  Shop is no longer in use as it was in the past.  Nameplate over the door has been blanked as it made it rather obvious.


Mid Kent.


Further clues will follow if not guessed.