This small 13th century castle standing on the banks of the River Medway is now home to a group of Carmelite nuns. Historically, it has always been a place of peace, one of the few castle's never to have been attacked or besieged.
The castle is moated with corner towers set around a rectangular enclosure, it quite possibly replaces an earlier structure of the 11th century which would have been built from wood. In 1281 Stephen of Penchester was granted a licence to crenellate by Edward I and built a stone castle. Some of the original building work survives today in the form of herringbone pattern in parts of the walls. Three hundred years later Allington Castle was converted into a comfortable fortified mansion.
In the early part of the 17th century the building was ravaged by fire, what was left later served as a farmhouse. In the 20th century the building came into the hands of explorer Sir Martin Conway, who spent time restoring it.
Visitors to the area are able to view the exterior, but the interior of Allington Castle is purely private used as a home, conference centre and retreat by the Order of Carmelites.
a Picturesque Village in the county of Kent
(1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction NW)Aylesford is a large village in Kent, 4 miles NW of the county town of Maidstone. It sits on the river Medway, and has many interesting and historic buildings including the 14th.....
in the county of Kent
(11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction SW)Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods...
in the county of Kent
(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction NW)Attractive old town overlooking the Thames estuary with walkways and picnic sites ideal for watching the busy water traffic, for this stretch of the river is said to be one of the busiest in the world...
a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent
(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SW)Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene...
a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent
(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction S)Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout...
All towns in Kent
Lying in a gorgeous scenic location beside the River Medway is the ancient Palace belonging to the Archbishop's of Canterbury,.....
Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a.....
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Rochester Cathedral is awesome in its beauty, matching this is an impressive history stretching back to when the cathedral was.....
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