St Mary's Church, Burham

St Mary's Church in Burham is a quiet medieval church in Kent, standing on the Pilgrims' Way above the valley of the River Medway. It no longer serves a regular congregation, yet it remains one of the most atmospheric heritage stops in the Tonbridge and Malling area.

What is St Mary's Church in Burham?

St Mary's is a redundant Anglican church, which means it is no longer used for regular parish worship. It lies about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) west of the village of Burham, away from the houses, in open countryside. The building is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building, the highest level of protection, given to structures of exceptional interest. Today it is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust, a charity that cares for historic churches that are no longer needed for regular services but are too important to lose.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The church sits directly on the Pilgrims' Way, the old route walked for centuries across the south of England. It overlooks the River Medway, so a visit combines history with a wide view over the river valley. The coordinates are roughly 51.3313 N, 0.4626 E. Because the church stands apart from the village, it suits walkers, cyclists and anyone exploring the North Downs landscape on foot rather than by car.

What can you see?

The church dates back to the 12th century, with additions and alterations made up to the 15th century. The west tower is generally dated to the 14th century. Over the years the building has changed: the north and south aisles were pulled down at some point, which gives the church a more compact form than its original plan. Roman tiles, taken from nearby Romano-British villas, are among the oldest materials found in its fabric, a reminder that people were building and living in this part of Kent long before the Middle Ages.

Inside and out, the church is simple and unrestored in feel. Visitors come for the stonework, the age of the walls and the stillness of the setting rather than for grand decoration.

Why is the church redundant?

The village of Burham gradually moved away from the church site, up towards higher ground, and the old building ended up isolated on the hillside. Accounts of exactly when it stopped being used differ, so it is safest to say it fell out of regular use during the 19th century. Later it was rescued from decay, and it is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, with support from a local group, the Friends of St Mary's, Burham.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Mary's Church in Burham still used for services? It is not used for regular worship, as it is a redundant church under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.

Is there an entry fee? Check the Churches Conservation Trust website before you travel for current opening arrangements and access information.

What level of heritage protection does it have? It is a Grade I listed building, which places it among the most significant historic buildings in England.

Is it on a walking route? Yes. It stands on the Pilgrims' Way and looks across the River Medway, which makes it a natural stop on a walk along the North Downs.

When was it built? The church originates in the 12th century, with later changes up to the 15th century, and a west tower usually dated to the 14th century.