FORDWICH & TOWN HALL - The Ancient Port Of Canterbury
A tourists treat that most will miss when they visit Canterbury.
This is the ancient port which took in all the stone to build the cathedral - so visit the start of its journey before going onto Canterbury. Well worth a visit.
Wickhambreaux & Fordwich
Fordwich is the smallest town in Britain. It has two pubs but no shops. Plus a mediaeval town hall.
FORDWHICH IN THE 60s SMALLEST TOWN IN ENGLAND IT LIES IN KENT HAVING A POPULATION OF 370
The historic Town of Fordwich lies on the Great Stour river, about two miles east of Canterbury, just south of the A28 road to Thanet, close to Sturry. Bus and train links to Fordwich and Canterbury are good.
There is evidence for a settlement at Fordwich in Roman times, and this developed over the centuries until Fordwich became the port of Canterbury. At that time the river was much wider than it is now and led directly into the Wantsum Channel, which separated the Isle of Thanet from the mainland. The stone for building Canterbury Cathedral, brought from Caen in France, was brought upriver and unloaded at Fordwich, and in the Cathedral Archives are records from 1424 and 1425 listing the transport of 400 tons of stone for the Cathedral.
Gradually the river, and the Wantsum Channel, started to silt up, despite several schemes to keep the waterways clear. The silting-up, together with the opening of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway (the Crab and Winkle Line) in 1830 impacted Fordwich's economic importance to Canterbury. Later, with the arrival of road transport, its fate was largely sealed. Thus, the nature of Fordwich changed. Today it's a small hamlet who's river is navigated purely by small pleasure craft.
Links with its illustrious past do remain however. Fordwich is a member, or 'limb', of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, and the Mayor Deputy of Fordwich still pays annual 'Ship Money' of 6s 8d to the Mayor of Sandwich at a ceremony held at Sandwich Town Hall. Fordwich was governed until 1883 by a Mayor and 12 Jurats, who were also Justices of the Peace. (Fordwich now has a Town Council of 5 councillors, elected every four years in the local council elections.) Fordwich is therefore a town with a long history, and the centre of Fordwich has been designated a Conservation Area, with many listed buildings.
Fordwich has another, and unique, claim to fame - it is the smallest town in Britain (based on population - Guiness Book of Records), and also has the smallest Town Hall in Britain (maximum capacity 41 people). The Chairman of the Town Council, elected by the councillors, is the Town Mayor. However, just to confuse matters, Fordwich also has a Mayor Deputy (who is normally the Chairman of the Town Council). The holder of this post is actually a Mayor Deputy of Sandwich in recognition of the special relationship Fordwich has by being a Limb of the Port of Sandwich. Fordwich United Charities is responsible for administering the various charities that have been set up over the centuries, and is a substantial land-owner, owning land on Romney Marsh and the Fordwich allotments. Fordwich United Charities also owns, and is responsible for, the Town Hall, which is a Grade 2* listed building.
Champing: Sleep Overnight in a Church in Fordwich, Kent, in the United Kingdom // Birdgehls
Champing at the Church of St Mary's in Fordwich, Kent in the United Kingdom. Champing was set up by the Churches Conservation Trust. Old churches that remain consecrated are rented out on a per nightly basis, for a fee that includes breakfast in the morning! The money goes directly back into funding these historic buildings, so they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
For more information about Champing visit:
Read more about the experience here:
Shot on Canon 7D + G7X.
Edited on Premiere Pro.
Music: Boards of Canada
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Christmas in Fordwich
It's Christmas time in literally Englands smallest town, magical.
The Kent Wedding Claire and Louise at Fordwich Town Hall.
Kent wedding at Fordwich town hall of Claire and Louise.
Anchor Inn Littlebourne
Live music with paragraph 1
Mum's thoughts on FAT DAUGHTER & FORDWICH - SMALLEST TOWN IN UK
Doing a video interview with my mother !!!
Her thoughts on having a FAT daughter !!
Coming back from Canterbury - ( going through FORDWICH - smallest town in England - Though it numbers only 300 inhabitants, Fordwich is officially a town, making it the smallest town in England. )
Haunted Fordwich 2011
I was asked by a member of the public who was appearing on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me to produce a ghost story or two for her dinner party to entertain her guests. This is what I came up with. I only had seven days notice so any audio jumps are understandable.
Fordwich is the smallest town in England (by Population).
During my research I found some pretty harrowing stories, some I recount here.
I hope to produce other downloadable content in the future, but this is just a one off. Check back on canterburyghosttour.com for info on how to book a ghost tour in Canterbury with me. Or call 0845 519 0267 for more info.
Kent canoeing, ???????????????????????????? River Stour, Fordwich Canterbury to Sandwich town. Oldtown Canoe
17 miles. River canoeing.
GraysOnline - Margan - Broke-Fordwich subregion
GraysOnline - Margan - Broke-Fordwich subregion
A Canterbury Tale (1942) Location - The George and Dragon, Fordwich Road, Fordwich, Kent
The horse and cart ride past this mill
Old Man In A Kayak - The Smallest Town Hall In England. Read Description
After coming here a few times this time I had a chance to look around with Trevor and we found this little Town Hall Gem tucked away round the back of the pub right besides the river Stour. This working town hall is the oldest and smallest functioning town hall in England.
Fordwich became a corporate limb of the Port of Sandwich in 1050, before the Norman Conquest, The town was described in the Domesday Book and as such helped to provide ships and men to fight for the Crown as required. In return the Town was allowed self government and freed from many national taxes. Later the provision of ships was changed to the payment of money,and Fordwich still to this day pays its Ship money of forty old pence to its Head Port of Sandwich at a ceremony held annually at the Guildhall... All the stone for the building of Canterbury Cathedral which came from Caen in France was unloaded here together with all the goods required by the thriving monastic City of Canterbury.
The River Stour became silted up and thus prevented the passage of cargo boats... Just a bit of History... Regards Peter
sues reception
fordwich fun
Whitstable to Faversham via Seasalter and Graveney Kent England
A Timelapse Drive
featuring a brief glimpse of Graveney Village Hall
sues reception
fordwich fun
A Canterbury Tale (1942) Location - High Street, Fordwich, Kent
The soldiers gather here in the street for the lecture
Small River Roving In Kent
Fishing my favourite local rivers in search of Chub, Roach, Perch and maybe the odd surprise.
Tamsin and Henry
The Wedding