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Books > Kent Revisited Photographic Memories
Bishopstone, the approach to the Village c1960 (ref. B573010) | This peaceful lane is often used by those keen to watch the boats go by. Many hikers have strolled into this pretty village to see its cliffs and cottages. It is also a haven for birdwatchers, who over the years have recorded rare sightings of the dusky warbler and desert wheatear in Stuart Lane and Chambers Wall. |  Add your own Memory
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Allhallows, the Beach c1955 (ref. A229014) | This small landing bay off the Thames estuary near the Isle of Grain is popular with fishermen and amateur sailors. The hook, centre foreground, and mooring blocks suggest that a small craft is often tied here, and the bathing huts, right, are well kept and brightly painted. Is the woman on the shingle the owner of what looks like a coat atop the concrete pyramid, right? | Add your own Memory
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Allington, the Castle c1955 (ref. A230020) | Having survived yet another war, this ancient battlement enjoys a total restoration carried out by its owner Sir Martin Conway in 1905. In 1951 it was bought by the Carmelite Order and used as a 'desert house' for its members - here the sisters could spend a year in contemplation before going back to their professional lives. Today, it still attracts many visitors. | Add your own Memory
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Ash, Moat Farm and Oast Houses c1955 (ref. A232006) | Who can fault this lovely view of typical rural Kent? Oast houses like these can be seen in the east and middle of the county; they were used for storing hops, which were dried before being despatched to the local brewery. The windmill grinding corn provided an essential part of agricultural life - an example is just visible in the background. | Add your own Memory
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Ashford, Marsh Street 1903 (ref. 50330) | What a shame that this street no longer exists. Today it is called Station Road, and its historic buildings, right, have given way to an office block and a ring road. Only the grandiose Baptist Church remains. The barber's pole which can just be made out on the left indicated a men's hairdressers. | Add your own Memory
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Ashford, High Street c1950 (ref. A71007) | Despite the fact that post-war rationing was still in force, this market town was thriving. On the left is an optician's, A Bateman's. Next door, behind the clock, are the Ashford Co-op Society stores, with the Westminster Bank beyond. The white building (centre right) is Alfred Olby, a builders' merchant's. A snack bar, another trader, Jenners, and a wine merchant's are on the right. | Add your own Memory
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Ashford, Middle Row 1908 (ref. 60323) | Can you spot the white-bearded man peering out at the photographer from the doors of the Man of Kent pub, right? Today this scene has changed very little, although Austin the gunsmith's (left), and the pastrycook's shop (centre) have changed hands many times over the years. The pub, however, remains a popular haunt with the youth of the 21st century. | Add your own Memory
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Aylesford, the Bridge c1960 (ref. A85046) | This is the birthplace of the celebrated 20th-century actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike. Little has changed here over the years, despite the growth of the paper mill. A barrier gate system is now in operation over this busy bridge. The George Hotel, right, and the tobacconist and the teashop pictured nearby shared the village with Kent's smallest pub, the Little Gem. | Add your own Memory
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Aylesford, Kit's Coty c1960 (ref. A85041) | There has been much debate about the age and significance of these four giant stones a mile north of the village. The most popular theory is that Kit's Coty - 'coty' means 'house' - was the burial place of Catigern, who is said to have fallen fighting the legendary Anglo-Saxon warriors Hengist and Horsa in the Battle of Aylesford in AD 455. | Add your own Memory
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Barfrestone, the Church of St Nicholas c1960 (ref. B591004) | The amazing stone carvings at the church of St Nicholas makes this church one of the most perfect specimens of pure Saxon in the country. All the carvings depict medieval life, and the bell is attached to a yew tree in the churchyard. | Add your own Memory
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Barming, Blossom Time c1960 (ref. B568013) | This rural scene of blossom trees is mostly a forgotten sight here today. The village has been eclipsed by 20th-century housing developments. However, there is still a good view from the Norman St Margaret's Church. Reminders of the old village can still be seen, including St Helen's - a wooden bridge now closed to traffic. | Add your own Memory
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Bedgebury, the House 1902 (ref. 48317) | The Culpepers built Bedgebury Park in a classical style from the profits of the Wealden iron industry. In 1836 the Napoleonic war hero Viscount Beresford retired here. In 1854 his heir, Alexander Beresford-Hope, cased the house in Wealden sandstone and added another storey in the English Gothic style. Today it is a private school. | Add your own Memory
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Benenden, the Village c1960 (ref. B570009) | With its white weather-boarded houses and leafy glades, this village was once home to Viscount Rothermere. His great-uncle, Alfred Harmsworth, founded the Daily Mail in 1896, and the family lived at the house which was to become the private Benenden School. Famous old girls include Princess Anne and the author Sue Ryder. Did they ever collect their pocket money from the Westminster Bank (right)? | Add your own Memory
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Bexley, High Street c1955 (ref. B83040) | Here we have an early morning scene in a busy little village. Nine years after this picture was taken the road and these charming brick cottages would be under the administrative wing of the Greater London Authority. Today the traffic along this stretch is constant as motorists head towards the A2 to reach the capital. | Add your own Memory
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Bexley, St Mary's Church c1955 (ref. B83008) | This church began life in the 12th century, and underwent a major restoration in the 19th century. The tower stands out because of its unique design of an unusual octagonal shingled spire. In 1853 the great-grandparents of Queen Elizabeth II married here. | Add your own Memory
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Biddenden, the Village c1960 (ref. B88004) | Home to Kentish cider and several vineyards, this village quite rightly had a thriving wine merchant's, left. Is the man outside deciding whether to opt for a bottle of spirits or local brew? Further along the road is a busy pub, the Red Lion. Today, Biddenden cider can be enjoyed in most Kent pubs. | Add your own Memory
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Bilsington, the Church of St Peter and St Paul c1920 (ref. B95301) | This little church, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, sits on the edge of Romney Marshes; its origins go back to the 12th century. A local family famed for its smuggling activities, the Ransleys, are recorded to have been baptised here. The chancel was built in the 13th century. | Add your own Memory
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Bishopsbourne, the Church 1903 (ref. 49417) | With its Norman doorway, medieval wall paintings and 17th-century Flemish glass window, St Mary's Church sits in an idyllic rural setting. Its most famous rector was the 16th-century theologian Richard Hooker, who wrote 'The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity'. He died in 1600 and is buried in the graveyard. Beside the graveyard is Oswalds, once home to the novelist Joseph Conrad. | Add your own Memory
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Borough Green, Western Road 1903 (ref. 51023) | I would love to know what these children were doing along this quiet residential road. Were the eight boys reluctantly looking after the toddler for a busy mum? And what games were they planning with the two wheelbarrows? Today this road is a busy traffic thoroughfare used by motorists bound for Sevenoaks and/or the M20. | Add your own Memory
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Boughton-Under-Blean, the Village c1965 (ref. B575029) | Many fine old buildings line this long street, which was a pilgrims' route into Canterbury. St Barnabas's Church stands behind the two gate pillars (right), and a memorial in a nearby wall lists the village's fallen from the First and Second World Wars. Today little has changed in this scenic spot. | Add your own Memory
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