Blessed Mary of Walmer
Blessed Mary of Walmer, Church Street, Walmer, Kent, CT14 7RX
The church is set in a large graveyard containing significant Victorian memorials and adjoins the ruins of the medieval Walmer Court.
Walmer's original parish church, a Grade II* listed building, was built around 1120 as a private chapel of the d'Auberville family, who resided at Walmer Court. The church was enlarged in 1816 by the addition of a galleried nave on the north side of the existing nave, thus re-orientating the church on a north-south axis and placing the altar at the south. A further extension was made in 1826. Both extensions were demolished in 1898, the church conventionally re-orientated and the original nave reinstated. The tower of the old church was rebuilt, and a bell first made in 1635 for the church by Joseph Hatch of Broomfield near Maidstone was re-hung in a new stone gable.
The Duke of Wellington was a regular worshipper at the church when in residence at Walmer Castle as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports from 1829-52. Six funerary hatchments include that of the Duke, which was carried in front of his cortege to the station after his death.
The church offers self-guided tours using information sheets provided.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 10:00 - 16:00
Location & directions
Blessed Mary of Walmer, Church Street, Walmer, Kent, CT14 7RX
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
