Discover Bilsington: Priory, Church Views and Canal Paths

Bilsington combines a rich monastic history with a village setting shaped by fields. Those planning a trip centred on culture, distinctive buildings and waterside walking paths will find several ways to plan their day here. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth deciding on your priorities first: should the trip focus mainly on the historic sites, the church and its views, or the paths along the Royal Military Canal?

Bilsington Priory and Its Medieval Traces

Bilsington Priory was founded in 1253 and dissolved in 1536. Today, the site is a Scheduled Monument, listed under number 1018877. The priory’s main buildings include a two-storey refectory range. The former abbot’s and guest accommodation also includes a three-storey square tower. The priory church survives as an underground archaeological structure. The monument also includes a former medieval manor house.

These different building elements make Bilsington a destination where history can be explored through more than just one building. Depending on your interests, you can focus on the priory site, the surviving building structures or the underground remains of the church. For families, the tangible forms and dates provide an engaging way to tell the story of the place, without limiting the visit to a museum experience.

Church, Obelisk and Landscape

St Peter & St Paul’s Church also adds to the historic picture. The present church building originally dates back to the 12th century; the tower was added at the western end of the nave in the 16th century. From the church, views extend across the Royal Military Canal and Romney Marsh. Access is via a farm opposite the Bilsington Monument. Services are held in the church on the second and fourth Sunday of every month.

The Bilsington Monument is a 16 m-high obelisk erected in memory of Sir William Cosway. Together with the church, it provides another reference point for exploring the history of the village. Those planning a trip with varied impressions can combine the historic buildings with the landscape of the Bilsington Conservation Area, which consists mainly of fields.

Paths Along the Royal Military Canal

The Bilsington Priory Estate lies along the old Saxon Shore Way. On Old Way, a path leads from Bilsington down to the trail beside the Royal Military Canal and then eastwards. Another walking route follows the canal path for one mile to Ruckinge Bridge; from there, the route leads uphill along the road into the village of Bilsington. This makes it possible to combine shorter sections and longer day itineraries in different ways without leaving the historic destinations out of your travel plans.

A few specific details are useful for finding your way around the area. The path to Bilsington Priory is paved. On the private Bilsington Priory Estate, a car park is located to the right of the Edwardian clock tower and the stables. By contrast, roads through the centre of Bilsington have no pavements. If you are travelling with children or planning walks through the village, you should take this difference into account when planning your day.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

A holiday apartment in Bilsington is particularly suitable if you would like to combine historic discoveries with walks along the canal. For a more indulgent break, the Bilsington Priory Estate offers Afternoon Teas. The nearest railway station to Bilsington Priory is Ashford International Station; those travelling without their own vehicle can therefore include this station in their onward travel plans.

For further location options, you can also look at Tenterden, Lydd-On-Sea, Ulcombe, Waltham, Paddock Wood, Eastry, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells. This allows you to compare which location best suits your preferred balance of culture, landscape and walking experiences.

For the overarching travel overview: Kent.