Pictures of Barfrestone
in the county of Kent
About Barfrestone
Set in the midst of beautiful Kentish countryside, this lovely village is home to a church displaying all the art of the Norman craftsman of long, long ago. The external doorways and windows of the small church of St.Nicholas show a profusion of rich Romanesque carving which is believed to have been done C.1180. The east end of the church has a row of arcades surmounted by a wheel-window carved with animals, figures and foliage. In the 12th-century the manor belonged to the important de Pont family but there appears to be no explanation as to why this little church should be so elaborate. The south doorway carries the most impressive decoration. Christ in Glory is carved in the centre of the tympanum, and there are amusing carvings of animals playing musical instruments. The nearby church at Patrixbourne is similarly decorated but the outstanding ornamentation of Barfrestone is likened only to Rochester and Canterbury. The church is indeed the jewel in Barfrestone's crown.
Apart from the church, the village of Barfrestone reveals leafy lanes studded with enchanting cottages and has both The East Kent Railway (The White Cliffs Colliery Line) and the North Downs Way running close by. The atmospheric Yew Tree Inn is a focal point for visitors and is said to be haunted.
The village lies surrounded by several picturesque Wealden villages, is close to Canterbury with its great Cathedral and the historic port of Dover. Court Farm offers a good caravan and camping site and there are plenty of attractive B & B establishments in the region. This being so, the charm and timelessness of Barfrestone with its green fields and beautiful Norman church, makes a pleasant place for a relaxing weekend away from the demands of modern life.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Barfrestone
| Lydden Motor Racing Circuit | (2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Goodnestone Park Gardens | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Crabble Corn Mill | (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Howletts Wild Animal Park | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| The Dover Bronze Age Boat | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Dover Museum | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Dover Castle | (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Western Heights Defences | (6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Richborough Roman Amphitheatre | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Walmer Castle & Garden | (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Deal Castle | (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Samphire Hoe | (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| The White Cliffs of Dover | (7.4 miles, 12.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| The Battle of Britain Memorial | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| St Augustine's Abbey | (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
All attractions in BarfrestoneAll attractions in KentComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Barfrestone
Snowdown, in the county of Kent (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NW)
Snowdown was famous for its colliery, it was one of only four collieries in Kent. It opened between 1907 and 1912, with a new town being built at Aylesham to provide home for workers who came largely from the north-east of England and from Wales.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Aylesham, in the county of Kent (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NW)
The village preserves its history, it has several noted buildings from when it was built and a strong community spirit still prevails. Of interest is the beautiful sculpture dedicated to the men who lived in Aylesham and spent their lives working in the mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Dover, in the county of Kent (6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction SE)
The white cliffs of Dover, the view that has stirred the hearts of English travellers for centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Margaret's at Cliffe, in the county of Kent (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Canterbury, in the county of Kent (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction NW)
Canterbury is an exquisite joyous place, it is submerged in history and is considered to be the birthplace of English...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hythe, in the county of Kent (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SW)
This delightful seaside resort is one of the five original Cinque Ports, it can trace its noble history all the way back to AD732 when it was granted a charter by the Saxon King Ethelred.
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Chilham, in the county of Kent (12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction W)
Chilham is a place of extraordinary serenity, it is both picturesque and pleasant, a lovely place to spend a perfectly peaceful day or a quiet, romantic weekend.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ramsgate, in the county of Kent (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction NE)
Ramsgate's harbour is constantly busy, this is known as a "Royal" harbour, made so by the landing here of King George IV in 1822.
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Birchington, in the county of Kent (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction N)
Situated in what is known as 'The Garden of England' on the north Kent coast along which there is a ribbon of lively towns, lovely sands and an azure blue sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Broadstairs, in the county of Kent (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction NE)
At almost every corner of this popular resort are reminders of the towns association with the famous novelist, Charles Dickens.
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Margate, in the county of Kent (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE)
Traditional seaside resort which is famous for the invention of the covered bathing machine.
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Faversham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent (16.9 miles, 27.1 km, direction NW)
There is record of settlements in the area in pre-historic times, it is known that the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons both established villages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Leysdown-on-Sea, in the county of Kent (19.1 miles, 30.7 km, direction NW)
This is a busy Kentish coastal holiday resort which has sandy beaches and safe shallow waters, thus the beach is ideal for sunbathing and to swim from.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lynsted, in the county of Kent (20.9 miles, 33.7 km, direction W)
A charming, restful place in what is known as cherry-orchard country, and although the cherries are still here, arable farming has taken over much of the land.
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Pluckley, in the county of Kent (21.0 miles, 33.8 km, direction W)
The village, which is scrambled on a ridge above the scenic River Beult, is said to be the most haunted village in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in KentComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Snowdown Station | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) |
| Shepherdswell Station | (1.2 miles, 2.0 km, direction S) |
| M20 Junction 13 | (8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction S) |
| M20 Junction 12 | (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction SW) |
| Lydd Airport | (21.7 miles, 34.9 km, direction SW) |
| London City Airport | (55.0 miles, 88.4 km, direction W) |
| Barfrestone to London | (62.6 miles, 100.7 km, direction W) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Barfrestone
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Barfrestone center |
| Old Coach House Hotel | (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction SW) |
| Ramada Hotel Dover | (4.1 miles, 6.5 km, direction SE) |
| Beulah House | (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction SE) |
| The Evenhill | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction NW) |
| Swingate Inn | (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE) |
| The West Bank | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SE) |
| Clare House | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SE) |
| St Albans,Hotel In Dover Town Centre England, Non-Smoking B & B | (6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction SE) |
| Garden Lodge | (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SW) |
| Hubert House | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE) |
| All hotels in Barfrestone |
