Faversham

Faversham is the oldest market town in Kent, recorded in the Domesday Book and located on a winding creek; there are many listed and historic buildings here.  It is also home to Britain's Oldest Brewer - Shepherd Neame, which has been brewing beer since 1698.

We start our quick walk of the town starting at the Guildhall; it is located in Market Place, stands at the very heart of Faversham, and was originally built as a market hall in 1574.  We divert down West Street to see some of the lovely old buildings there and then double back to the Guildhall to walk down Court Street and head down to the Creek - passing the Shepherd Neame Brewery on the way.

Faversham Creek connects the town to the Swale that separates mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey; during Roman Britain and into the first millennium, the Faversham coast was a large estuary with peninsulas either side.  We walk along the Creek and reach Standard Quay; this was the town’s main unloading quay from the sixteenth century onwards and boasts one of the oldest warehouses in Britain, built from materials taken of the original Faversham Abbey when it was destroyed during the dissolution. On the opposite bank of the Creek to Standard Quay is a good example of regeneration; the modern apartments built along the Creek were once a part of Pollock’s shipyard.  There are several classic ships and boats at Standard Quay now, along with many unique shops and outlets; at the end is Oyster Bay House - this  was originally built to store locally-grown Kentish hops before being transported up the creek to the Hop Exchange near London Bridge (despite its name this warehouse has nothing to do with oysters but Faversham did have a great oyster trade).

We double back to town and walk up Abbey Street past the site of the original Abbey and cut across to the Church of St Mary of Charity; reputed to be the second largest in Kent,  the church was founded in the medieval era,  but the flying spire, known as a crown or corona spire, dates to the 18th century.  The church is also noted for its rare medieval painted pillar.

A great visit to an interesting town; I must go back (not least for a brewery trip visit or to attend the Faversham Hop Festival).Read more