BARHAM

 This pretty village stands on the major road that connects Dover, Canterbury and Folkestone, at the head of the beautiful Elham Valley. It contains many historic buildings, and as yet, I've not had time to explore it fully.

Because of its' position, high on the Barham Downs on the main road between Dover and London, it has been used as a military staging post over the centuries, from Roman times to the Napoleonic Wars.

It was here that the Romans camped on their way inland from their Thanet landing. William the Conqueror here met the Men of Kent and heard them swear fealty, and took delivery of the hostages they surrendered, an oath subsequently relinquished in return for accepting William's rule but remaining unconquered.

It was here that William, son of King Stephen, fell from his horse, breaking his thigh, on his way to meet the Earl of Flanders, and it was here that King John camped with his 50,000 men in preparation for war with France.

Simon de Montfort assembled a huge force on Barham Downs in 1265 during the Barons' War, and in 1422, Henry VI came from being crowned in Paris to be met here by his Barons and Commons and escorted to Canterbury then on to London.

Margate, Duchess of Burgundy met her brother Edward IV in a tent on the Downs here. Charles I picnicked here during his return to London with his bride-to-be, and during the Civil War, Royalist troops massed here for their attack on Dover Castle. Charles II was welcomed home here by the Kentish Regiment of Foot in 1660. During the Napoleonic Wars, Barham Down was again covered with tents of an army awaiting embarkation.

 

It provided the home for one of the four knights who, in 1175, murdered St Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral. As a result the family adopted the name of this village and descendants with that family name can be found in many countries of the world. 

The parish contains 77 listed structures, not only buildings but walls, a footbridge and -
...a 1936 classic telephone kiosk.

The parish church of St. John The Baptist stands on a hill, overlooking the oldest part of the village. The green copper spire is glorious.

History suggests that there was a church in Barham in 809 A.D., and evidence of the original Saxon floor has been discovered under the tower, but the earliest part of the present building starts in the 12th century with the base of the Tower, and continues for the following three hundred years.

Appears to be the entrance to the vault

I was so taken with this little representation of the Garden of Gethsemane in the churchyard. The garden, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, according to the Christian Bible, was known as the site where Jesus experienced profound agony, prayed, and was betrayed by Judas Iscariot before his crucifixion.

The inclusion of the name 'Field Marshall Lord Kitchener' at the head of the War Memorial in the porch. Kitchener lived in the parish, at Broome Park. He died on the way to Russia during World War 1 when his ship sank. For more info on Broome Park, see the page for Denton.

In a dark recess at the west end of the south aisle, surrounded by brooms, buckets and other domestic paraphernalia, is the great memorial to the family of Dixwell, of Broome. A large obelisk on a high base in grey and white marble, with an urn on each of the four top corners, it was moved in modern times from its proper place in the centre of the south transept, enclosed by wrought iron railings over the Oxenden vault, to its present site, where three sides of it cannot be seen at all and the fourth is in such gloom as to be barely readable. One of these sides is devoted to a representation oi the Dixwell arms and the other three give details of the person commemorated. Although admittedly an inferior imitation of the magnificent Oxenden monument at Wingham, this is still the most important memorial at Barham and, if fully restored and better sited, would be an asset of considerable significance. 

the memorial to Sir Basil Dixwell - 2nd. Baronet (d 1750). Couldn't get to it, but would love to see the whole thing in situ. His portrait, painted by Anthony Van Dyke hangs in the Beaney Institute in Canterbury. 

Colonel of militia horse, Kent 1688, j.p. and deputy lieutenant 1689. colonel of militia foot 1697.

Captain of Sandgate Castle 1694-6; lieutenant-governor Dover Castle 1696-1702, 1714-?

Dixwell’s family was of Warwickshire origin, but one of them inherited considerable property around Folkestone and elsewhere in 1622, and sat for Hythe four years later. His great-uncle was John Dixwell the regicide, but his grandfather died before the Civil War and his father came of age only after the Restoration, when he was given a baronetcy. Dixwell acted as spokesman for the Kentish deputy lieutenants at Faversham during the Revolution. 

On his return to Kent on 29 Dec. 1688 Dixwell collected signatures for the Association to stand by the Prince of Orange, and he was elected for Dover a few days later. He was among those chosen to carry the canopy at the coronation, but played no known part in the Convention. He died on 25 Mar. 1750, the last of his family, and was buried at Barham.

DIXWELL, Sir Basil, 2nd Bt. (

Excellent legacy investment left to the poor of the parish by Mrs. Hester Anna Spears. The interest from the investments to go to the poor who have lived in the parish for at least 5 years, in the form of 5 hundredweight of coals every Christmas.

The 14th century Font situated in the South Aisle is large enough to submerse a baby, as would have been the custom of the time. The bowl is octagonal, representing the first day of the new week, the day of Christ's resurrection. The cover is Jacobean (17th century).

The modern stained glass window in the south transept, commissioned for the Millennium, which was designed, made and installed by Alexandra le Rossignol. 

Memorial tablets to 8th. Baronet, Sir Henry Chudleigh Oxenden, d. 1889 of Broome Park, his wife Charlotte, and brother, George Chichester Oxenden.

Sacred to the memory of George Chichester Oxenden I whose remains are deposited in the adjoining vault He was the second son of the late Sir Henry Oxenden, Bart of Broome in this parish born March 21st 1798  died September 22nd 1875 Sacred to the memory of Sir Henry Chudleigh Oxenden Bart. of Broome Park in this parish who was buried in that portion of the churchyard which adjoins this chancel born June 24, 1795  died Aug 14, 1889  also of Charlotte, his wife who died March 1843  and was buried in the family vault. 

Sir Henry Oxenden, 7th. Baronet and his wife Mary. To the memory of Sir Henry Oxenden, Baronet of Broome in  this parish  this tablet is raised by the sons and daughters  who bear in mind his affectionate kindness  and that singular benevolence of heart  which won for him the love of the poor  and esteem and regard of all  He died peacefully Sept 22, 1838  aged 82 years  and near him in the adjoining vault  repose the remains of his beloved wife Mary Lady Oxenden  'The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found  in the way of righteousness', Proverbs XV, 31

The three brasses now rehung on the South transept wall, come from the marble floor memorials under the vestry and were lifted many years ago. They have recently been mounted on cedar to preserve them.  The oldest (c.1370) is of a civilian but is mutilated. The other two (c.1460), are of a woman dressed as a widow and a bare headed man in plate armour. There is some debate as to who the figures represent. Some academics believe them to be of John Digges and his wife Joan, of Digges Place. But other evidence suggests they may be Nicholas Haute and his wife Margaret Bruyn.

Charles Bean

To the memory of/ Jacob Sharp Esq  late of this parish who died the 26th April 1814  aged 80 years. 

Under the tower, affixed to the wall, are some Flemish tiles, purchased under the will of John Digge who died in 1375. His memorial brass survives in the Vestry. The tiles incorporated into the wall were originally part of the Chancel floor about 1375. They were left by John Digges, Rector of Bishopsbourne, whose will instructed that he was to be buried in the Chancel at Barham and "my executors are to buy Flanders tiles to pave the said Chancel". Further tiles were recently found in the Vestry.

Sacred to the memory of  Charlotte Harrison  daughter of the late Edward Brydges Esqre of Wootton Court  born on the first of May 1766  married first Champion Branfill Esqre  of Upminster Hall Essex secondly John Harrison Esqre of Denne Hill in this county.  Gentle by nature and humble by grace  she lived in the love of all around  and died at her residence in this parish  on the 5th of September 1849  deeply lamented/ Her remains are deposited in a vault in the church of the adjoining parish of Wootton. 

upper brass plate. To the glory of God and  in loving memory of  Edward Long of Out Elmstone Barham died 27 May 1888 aged 84  also of/ Anne, wife of the above Edward Long died 29 June 1892 aged 86  also of Edward Long eldest son of the above, died 22 Jany 1856 aged 25 years  'He shall give his angels charge over them'  Psalm XCI(II)

lower brass plate. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Anne Long  third daughter of the above Edward & Anne Long born May 1830 died 18 October 1914 'Thou makest him glad with joy in thy presence'  Psalm XXI (6). 

The East Window, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, and a young John the Baptist clothed in animal skins at his feet. The window is a very light and delicate example of painted glass by Martin Travers in 1925.

This is the Old Valley Road, now just a quiet lay-by.

In Spring, the village is alive with spring daffodils. They line the main road for about a mile outside the village and right through the centre. They also adorn  Church Lane, Old Valley Road, and just about every open green space. 

The River Nailbourne

The Nailbourne is a 15.5 mile intermittent chalk stream that flows through several villages in the Elham valley from Lyminge to Bekesbourne. In the summer months, it vanishes, to return in the winter or times of heavy rainfall.

It's a bit of a nuisance, to be frank.  It acts as the upper reach of the Little Stour, a tributary of the River Stour, and is known for causing significant flooding in nearby villages during heavy winters.

Today (late April) it is beginning to drop in level, as we've had a relatively dry couple of weeks, but the flood signs are still out, and here in Barham, you still have a ford to splash through.

So put the kids' wellies on and send them out to play ;)

This is The Causeway.