Historic Sites in Whitstable

"One stop on the train from Southend Victoria Prittlewell Priory is a Cluniac monastery that was founded in the 12th century by monks from Lewes Priory in East Sussex. As with all monastic sites in England, the priory was suppressed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. But some of the buildings were unscathed as they became a private residence, which would be altered heavily up to the 20th century."

"Historically significant, the Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr was founded sometime during the 12th Century to provide overnight accommodation to pilgrims travelling to the shrine of St Thomas Beckett. Today, guided tours are provided of the building. The tour includes visiting:"

"A ‘place of hospitality’ for pilgrims, soldiers and the elderly since 1180, Eastbridge Hospital of St Thomas the Martyr is the last of many such buildings still open to the public. It’s worth a visit for the..."

"After the gardens, head straight over to the well preserved medieval gatehouse that stands at the entrance to Canterbury’s high street. This epic tower dates back to the 14th century and is the largest surviving city gate in all of England. This impressive gatehouse is actually a replacement from the original Roman wall that circled the city around the year 300 AD."

"Westgate Towers seen from Westgate Gardens See my photos from Canterbury. Westgate Towers in England’s largest surviving medieval gateway. These gates were once used to control the flow of visitors in and out of walled city centers, and Westgate was once accessible only via drawbridge from outside of Canterbury."

"The city’s only remaining medieval gateway (1380) houses a museum that focuses on the building’s use as a prison. The views from the top are pretty good, but if you don’t go inside, you can always entertain..."

"Hadleigh Castle is a ruined fortification in the English county of Essex, overlooking the Thames Estuary from south of the town of Hadleigh. The romantic ruins of a royal castle overlooking the Essex marshes is the perfect place for a historical day out."

"Located in Southchurch Hall Park, this fine 14th-c half-timbered moated house is set in beautiful gardens. Open to the public, it hosts a series of period room displays from the middle ages to Victorian times. Opening times: - Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 3pm.Location: Southchurch Hall Gardens, Park Ln, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2TETel: 01702 467671Website:southendmuseums.co.uk"

"Two Tree Island is a small island just southwest of Leigh-on-Sea and connected only by a bridge. With its breathtaking sights and a wealth of various wildlife to observe and explore, it’s no wonder that Two Tree Island is so popular with bird watchers and nature enthusiasts."