Tenterden and Ashford Odyssey

We visit the pig pasture of Thanet, and then Ashford.

14 May 2008
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That's right, Tenterden means exactly that, though I'm sure the local Business Association, eager to entice visitors from near-and-far to spend their quidlets within the town and its immediate environs, would not view that information as their most enticing asset! The word is derived from 'Tenet-ware-den', which breaks down as 'Tenet-ware', the men of Thanet, and 'den' or pig-pasture, or 'clearing in the forest'. We're talking pre 968 CE (Common Era) for the period of local history this points back to. The 'first known reference to these 'men of Thanet' in Tenterden is found in the Heronden Charter of' that year. The area was originally 'appropriated' by the men of Thanet in the early days of Saxon settlement.

These men came, of course, from the Isle of Thanet. To learn more about the interesting Isle of Thanet or, as it's sometimes referred to in history, the Isle of Death, here is a fascinating little video clip: The Dark Side of Thanet.... You can also visit the BBC information site on Thanet if you wish: The Isle of Thanet.

Tenterden is known as 'The jewel of the Weald'. Interestingly, it used to be a sea port, one of what were called the 'Cinque Ports'. Changes to the coastline in the 15th and 16th centuries meant that Tenterden lost all access to the sea and is now some ten miles from the coast. For more on the history of Tenterden as a sea port visit: The Cinque Ports

The Church of St Mildred in Tenterden is yet another wonderfully ancient church that is chock full of history. It is named after a distant descendant of King Ethelbert of Kent. It possibly dates from circa 670 CE. The stained glass windows are beautiful indeed.

History buffs: For a fascinating story concerning Tenterden's link with Admiral Nelson read the story of Horatia Nelson, his daughter, and the shabby way the government of the day treated her, despite the expressly stated wishes of the famous admiral: Horatia Nelson

We enjoyed lunch in Tenterden, sitting in the cool of the old churchyard before catching the bus to Ashford. Following are pictures of our visit and then one or two of Ashford. We have also included some from the bus as well as a movie from the top deck front seat of the bus -just for fun!

▲Welcome to Tenterden

▲Exactly across the road from the first photo. The Parish Church clock of St. Mildred in the background giving you the exact time of day.

▼We were weary and ready for lunch!

▲A view of this very old part of the church of St. Mildred.

▲Baked Potatoes in their jackets & coffeee.

▲Old tombstones mark their passage...

▲Barbara checking out this tiny door.

▼The ground might have risen with time...

▲Barbara was captivated by this old door...

▲I by the height of it all...

Old churches have this going for them; on hot days they are cool, man, very cool! No, I'm not actually leaning on the altar, just the rail. ▼

◄Stained glass is great!

▲Farewell to Tenterden: The Post Office. This one, I think, will stay.




▲On the Bus to Ashford

The narrow road.

◄Somewhere on the road to Ashford.

A lonely bus stop.▼

▲Again, I can't just remember which place this is! Council flats on the way into Ashford.▼











▲This delightful little restaurant has the word... "Welcome"











▲ ▲In Ashford.










▲The green, green grass(well, fields anyway) of home. ▲Snapped from the bus.

We're off on a whirlwind trip to Rochester next... Where Charles Dickens reins supreme at the Dickens festival coming up in a few days...and how the fat of 40 pigs helped King John, in 1215 CE, reduce part of the Rochester castle.