St. Radegund's Abbey

St. Radegund's Abbey is a medieval monastery whose ruins remain scattered across farmland in Kent. Stone sections of the abbey church and outbuildings stand among fields where farming continues around these historical remains.

The monastery was founded by Benedictine monks in the early 1200s and operated until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII around the 1500s. The site then gradually fell into disrepair as structures were repurposed or abandoned.

The site bears the name of Saint Radegund, a 6th-century queen whose devotion inspired religious communities across medieval Europe. Walking through the remains, visitors can sense the rhythm of monastic life that once unfolded within these walls.

The site sits within an active farm, so visitors should stay on designated paths and respect ongoing agricultural use. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the ruins are spread across uneven ground among working fields.

The abbey's structures display building techniques and architectural styles from different medieval periods, visible in varying stone patterns and construction methods. This layering reveals how construction practices evolved over centuries at a single site.

Location: Hougham Without

GPS coordinates: 51.13190,1.25083

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03