Waltham brings together architectural history and landscape as two distinct reasons to explore the area. The North Downs and Yockletts Bank Nature Reserve offer a connection to the landscape, while farmhouses, Waltham Court and the Church of St Bartholomew represent different historical periods. This gives you a clear focus for planning your trip: orchids and walking routes, or architecture and local history.
Landscape and Orchids
Yockletts Bank lies within the parish boundary of Waltham and is a nature reserve managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust. It is considered one of the best sites for the Lady Orchid and has excellent populations of other orchids. Sightings vary by season, so timing is an important part of planning if you are travelling to see the orchids.
Waltham lies in the North Downs, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A network of footpaths, narrow roads and bridleways provides access to the beautiful countryside. If you are planning a particular route, check its current course, as individual paths can change.
Houses, Church and Local History
Waltham Court reflects several phases of use. It was built in 1796 as a workhouse for the parishes of Waltham, Petham, Crundall and Lower Hardres. After being used as a workhouse, it closed in 1828 and was converted into a Methodist chapel, a beer shop and a bakery. The building thus links social history with later religious and commercial uses.
Sarness Farmhouse dates to 1774; a plaque bears the inscription “S C 1774”. Anvil Green Farmhouse was originally called Handville Green because it was the residence of the Handville family. It was probably built using timber framing from a medieval hall house. Anvil Green therefore combines an earlier name with a presumed older building history, while Sarness Farmhouse has a specific date shown on its inscription.
Little London adds a different architectural profile to these examples: it is a 17th-century timber-framed building whose ground floor was re-faced with red brick. A hipped roof and an off-centre chimney complete the described features of the building.
The Church of St Bartholomew is a 13th-century church dedicated to Saint Bartholomew. Its ecclesiastical history stands alongside the farmhouses and the changing uses of Waltham Court. Waltham was originally called Temple Waltham and was associated with the Knights Templar in the past.
Plan Your Journey
The nearest railway station with a mainline connection is Wye, four miles from Waltham. A bus service connects Waltham with Canterbury and is scheduled around school times. Check current timetables if you plan to use these services for your journey.
Discover more destinations: Kingsdown, Sheerness, Hamstreet, Sturry, Wrotham, Wye, Swingfield, Bridge.
Return to the main travel guide: Kent.
