GODMERSHAM

 The parish of Godmersham covers a large area, but in essence, is no more than a few scattered dwellings either side of the main A28 Ashford-Canterbury road

And then there's Godmersham Park........................

That's where my focus is. The village has very little to recommend it, being very much integrated with Crundale these days. Indeed, the church is now part of a benefice of 5 churches, with a vicar who is resident elsewhere. 

There is the Old Post Office at the crossroads, but that's about it. Even the nearest pub is in Crundale.

Godmersham Park house is now a college. owned by ABDO, the  Association of British Dispensing Opticians, and the gardens are only open to the public once or twice a year. The house is closed to the public at all times. The house and gardens are surrounded by a high brick wall, so you can't even see it, except from one of the footpaths that passes behind the house.

This lovely Georgian manor house on the northern edge of the village was built in 1732. Its most famous resident was Edward Knight, brother of novelist Jane Austen. At the age of 18, Edward was adopted by Thomas and Catherine Knight of Godmersham. The childless couple sent Edward on a Grand Tour of the Continent, and when Thomas died in 1794 he left Godmersham to Catherine for her lifetime and then to Edward. She decided to move to Canterbury and gave Godmersham House to Edward.

Jane Austen visited her brother at Godmersham several times and used the library there to research her novels. She used the house as the setting for parts of her novel Mansfield Park and describes the architecture of the house exactly as we see it today.

However, the extensive parkland surrounding it, is open for you to freely wander through. But be advised, it is a working estate, and there is livestock, so please keep dogs, lions, giraffes, etc. on leads!

If you enter the estate from Godmersham crossroads, the first building you see is this charming house, and a hexagonal dovecote.

Move along the lane, and high on the hill, behind the dovecote, is this charming Greek Temple folly

Further along the road, a pretty bridge crosses the River Stour, on its' way to Canterbury

You then immediately come upon the gatehouse, and the elegant wrought-iron gates

From here, the road gently curves to the left, away from the wall of the house. There's a smattering of buildings opposite the wall, mostly providing accommodation for the college students. One of these is the Old Vicarage. There is no 'new' vicarage, as there is no longer a resident vicar.

Continuing along the road, you will first come to the Godmersham Park Heritage Centre, with an exhibition on the history of Godmersham and Crundale, and on the estate itself. Among historic items of interest is the diary of Jane Austen's niece, Fanny Knight, and a copy of William Harvey's ground-breaking book on the circulation of blood.  Unfortunately, it is only open on a Monday afternoon, so I haven't managed to get there yet.

But the next building is St Lawrence the Martyr church which dates to the 11th century. Absolutely loved this one. It has a friendly, warm atmosphere, and is light and airy.

Walking around the outside of a church before entering, is something I always do. In this case, it clearly showed the church's Norman roots.

There is also a beautiful view out over the peaceful countryside

There is also a corner of the graveyard where all the graves and memorials are for one family.........the Hollands. The main slab is the grave of Francis James Holland, long time canon of Canterbury Cathedral.

And so to the interior

The first thing that grabs your attention are the pew-end candle holders.

 

The little splashes of colour really lift the interior.

In the chancel is a 12th-century bas-relief thought to depict Thomas Becket - although it could be Archbishop Theobald (d.1162) Most consider it to be one of the earliest likenesses of Becket, which may have formed part of a tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. 

The small organ is beautifully decorated.

The angular font is made of polished Devonshire marble, which appears to be similar to our local Bethersden marble, in that it is full of tiny fossils.

Early in the twelfth century a northern tower with small apsidal chapel was added to the north of the nave. This has recently been restored and its round headed windows may be clearly seen. It is  not in general use, but the lady doing the altar flowers let me in to have a look.

The apsidal ceiling is echoed by the pattern of the glass in the two little windows. It's most enchanting.

The memorial plaque to Edward Knight - Jane Austin's brother - and his wife, Elizabeth.

The beautiful illuminated memorial on the north wall is to 'Susanna Sackree' the family nurse and Jane's friend.