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WESTENHANGER CASTLE & MEDIAEVAL
BARNS
Nr Hythe, Kent
Telephone:Tel: 01303 261 068
Fax: 01303 261 389
Email:info@westenhangercastle.co.uk
Website:
www.westenhangercastle.co.uk
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Westenhanger is probably one of the earliest
documented sites of manorial dwelling in Kent. A charter dated 1035 notes that
King Canute bequeathed it to Bishop Eadsige of Canterbury. After the Norman
Conquest it passed to the D' Auberville and then the De Kiriel families. In
1343 a "Licence to Crenellate" (fortify) Westenhanger was granted by Edward
III. We know that two great houses co-existed here, which c1500 became joined
by a marriage of Sir Edward Poynings who died without heir in 1523. The
property passed to the Crown and was occupied by Thomas 'Customer' Smythe,
collector of all import duties, who was granted the property in 1580 by Queen
Elizabeth I. He built the great barn with its hammerbeam roof and spans over
the East Stour river.
For the past
12 years Westenhanger has been owned by the Forge family who are continually
engaged in restoration of the buildings. With financial grants towards the cost
of repair from English Heritage a sustainable future is now possible
Directions: 500 yards from
Westenhanger railway station. Leave by side gate to Racecourse turning right.
By car, leave M20 motorway at Junction 11 towards Hythe, follow racecourse
signs, turn left before station. |
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OPENING TIMES
& ADMISSION |
Each Tuesday between 20th May and 16th September. Visitor entry
£4.00 adults, £2.00 children (under 12).
Guided Group Tours: By appointment only. 15-50
persons, £6.50 per person.
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