If you’re sick and tired of the London rat race and you need to get out of the city, we’ve got just the spot for you. Why not take a trip back to medieval times with a visit to the charming market town of Faversham? It’s easily accessible by train from London, and it’s home to some incredible history.
Now, before we get some angry Faversham residents in our comments, let me clarify. I’m not at all saying that Faversham is stuck in the past. Instead, I’m referring to the town’s impressive pedigree and historic buildings.
Tucked away in Kent, you’ll find the town just 10 miles away from Canterbury, sitting happily by the water. The area has been home to a settlement since pre-Roman times. And today, it’s home to a wealth of intriguing landmarks, medieval streets, and, yes, the oldest brewery in Britain.
Faversham
Thanks to its incredible heritage, there’s plenty to see when you visit. In fact, the town even has a dedicated map, featuring the must-visit heritage sites. Among them are:
- Maison Dieu: a 13th-century hospital that now displays Roman finds from the area
- Abbey Street: “one of the finest medieval streets in Britain”
- Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park and Visitors Centre: explore the town’s history as a gunpowder-producing region, while you explore nature
- St Catherine’s Church: a flint and stone church with pre-Conquest origins
- and much, much more.
As if the town wasn’t full of enough history, it’s also home to Kent’s oldest market. Faversham Market has been taking place for over 1,000 years! In fact, it’s so old that it’s mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Britain’s oldest brewery
Faversham is sure to be of particular interest to beer drinkers keen to explore the libation’s history. That’s because the town is home to the oldest brewery in Britain.
The Shepherd Neame brewery has been brewing beer in the area since as far back as 1698. That’s well over 300 years. But it gets even more impressive than that, with evidence suggesting that the beer was being produced in Faversham for several centuries beforehand!
And, of course, you can visit the brewery. The site has a Visitors Centre, and beer enthusiasts can take guided tours of the brewery and enjoy a tasting session. How about making that next pint a sip of history?
Getting to Faversham
Fancy a trip to Faversham? It couldn’t be easier. You can take a train from St Pancras International, and you’ll be wandering the streets in just over an hour.
Or if you prefer driving, the journey from London takes a little less than 2 hours. But, of course, that fully depends on where you’re travelling from!
