TUNBRIDGE WELLS DISTRICT
Religious Buildings & Areas
Some ghost members are said to be haunting the halls of ancient religious buildings and graveyards with their stories to tell, whether it is residual energy or Spirit.
Here is what has been found so far in the Tunbridge Wells District...
Trespassing remains to be considered for those seeking to visit a cemetery at night.
Private graveyards​ are off-limits unless you have the owners' permission. However, even cemeteries that are open to the public have guidelines that visitors ought to follow.​
From listing their visiting hours online and in their offices to physically closing their gates, most cemeteries make it clear when visitors are welcome and when they aren't. In other words, it should be easy to tell when you're trespassing, even on so-called "public" burial sites. (And, it bears mentioning, if you find yourself hopping a fence or wondering whether what you're doing counts as trespassing, there's a good chance it does.) Either contact the cemetery's owner or caretaker to discuss visiting at night.
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If you find any missing information, hear of any reports of Paranormal Activity, have a story to share about any of the listed places that aren't reported here, or know of any that are not mentioned, please get in touch. Thank you.
ST LAWRENCE CHURCH
HIGH ST, BIDBOROUGH, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, TN3
Nestled on a picturesque hilltop, St. Lawrence Church is approached via steep, winding paths that weave through its serene churchyard. It is accessible from both the north and south lychgates. For those seeking a gentler approach, a level path meanders from Rectory Drive, guiding visitors to this historic site.
St. Lawrence Church is one of the region's oldest ecclesiastical structures. While its precise origins remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, portions of the current building date back to the 10th century, originally conceived as a modest rectangular edifice crafted from local stone quarried from the hill that supports it. In its early days, the church was connected to the church at Leigh and served as a chapel for the inhabitants of the quaint hamlet of Bidborough.
The 12th century brought significant enhancements, with the church extending to include a chancel and a north aisle. In 1218, the fervent community of Bidborough petitioned the Bishop for their own Rector, a request that was granted, marking an important milestone in the church's evolution.
Throughout the Reformation, St. Lawrence became a hub for notable figures, including the renowned scholar Erasmus, who is said to have preached within its hallowed walls on multiple occasions, leaving a lasting impression on the local congregation.
By the early 19th century, the parish had fewer than 200 inhabitants, though this number swelled to nearly 300 by the 1880s. The church was notably bustling in 1827 during a visit from Princess Victoria, whose presence required her to remain on the porch due to the church's pressing need for enlargement. In 1876, a south aisle was added, allowing the church to accommodate up to 140 worshippers.
The 20th century saw further modernization, with the installation of a pipe organ in 1893 and the introduction of electric lighting in 1923. A new vestry was constructed in 1956 at the church's northeast corner, and in the 1980s, the organ was repositioned from its original location beneath the tower to a more prominent spot at the front of the church.
The church carefully preserves the names of all its incumbents from the 13th century to the present day, creating a rich tapestry of its ecclesiastical heritage.
**HAUNTINGS**
In 1998, the churchyard became the scene of eerie paranormal activity when two visitors reported the unsettling vision of three hooded figures gracefully gliding down the path. These spectral figures emitted a faint, otherworldly glow, their visages obscured by a pale hue beneath their hoods. Alarmed, the visitors fled the churchyard yet lingered just outside the grounds for several moments in hopes of witnessing the apparitions once more—though, to their dismay, they did not reappear.
ST PETERS CHURCH
OLD CHURCH RD PEMBURY, TUNBRIDGE WELLS TN2
The first recorded mention of Pembury, originally known as Pepingeberia, is found within the pages of the ‘Textus Roffensis’ (circa 1120). This historic document recounts the existence of the manors of Pepenbury Magna (Hawkwell) and Pepenbury Parva (Bayhall). In a significant grant around 1239, Simon de Wahull conferred the Advowson, the legal right to nominate a person to a vacant parish, to Bayham Abbey.
Pembury is home to two notable churches dedicated to St. Peter. The oldest, referred to as the Old Church, nestles amidst the tranquil woods north of the A228 bypass, presenting a quiet contrast to the modern village surrounding it. This ancient structure boasts architectural elements that hint at its origins in the 12th century, with the plan of the church and the charming Norman window perched above the south door suggesting a date as early as 1100 AD or at least by 1147.
Most of the church's present form was completed in 1337 under the patronage of John Colepeper of Bayhall, who also erected the chantry chapel of St. Mary in the churchyard in 1355, a creation that sadly met its demise during the Dissolution of the Smaller Monasteries in 1547. As a reflection of changing times, three windows within the church were later added, funded by the sale of lead sourced from the dismantled chapel.
A brass plaque on the north wall near the pulpit captures attention, adorned with an inscription and the delicate figure of an Elizabethan child, Elizabeth Rowe. The sanctuary floor holds two stone slabs paying tribute to Dorothy Amherst (1654) and Richard Amherst (1664), commemorating a family that, during their time, held sway over the manor of Bayhall.
In the 19th century, the church underwent several transformations, including the raising of the chancel floor, which inadvertently concealed the oldest tombstone entirely. The inscription encircling the slab, crafted in Norman French, reveals that it is the resting place of Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Colepeper. Among the multitude of memorial tablets are several that honor the Woodgate family, three members of which served as vicars of Pembury during this century. Notably, a memorial dedicated to Lord George Spencer-Churchill resides beneath the tower, adding to the church’s rich tapestry of history.
**HAUNTINGS**
An intriguing legend weaves through Pembury’s history, centering on Anne West, who harbored an acute fear of being buried alive. In her whispered final wishes, she requested that a bell be placed within her crypt. A grill was to be installed at its end, ensuring that a servant could bring her nourishment should she awaken from what was presumed to be death. However, the servant, swayed by greed, chose to pocket the money instead. The whispers of her restless spirit linger, as Anne West is said to have haunted for many years, her presence also felt haunting the ruins of Bayhall manor, a stark reminder of her tragic fate.
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
THE VICARAGE, BROAD OAK, BRENCHLEY, TN12
The name Brenchley traces its origins to the Anglo-Saxon leader Braenca, whose people inhabited a region known as Leagh, signifying a "clearing in the forest." Over the centuries, the village has been referred to by various names, including Braencske, Branchelegh, Brencheskega, and Brenchesle. Interestingly, it does not appear in the comprehensive survey of Domesday, which is a noteworthy historical document. During the 7th year of King Edward I and again in the 20th year of King Edward III, the area was recognized simply as the hundred of Brenchesley. The additional name of Horsemonden later emerged, deriving from one of the two half-hundreds into which this region was divided.
In those early years, the king and the Archbishop of Canterbury held lordship over this hundred. Brenchley gained historical significance as one of the villages actively involved in post-medieval ironmaking, with remnants of ancient furnaces now located in the neighbouring parish of Horsmonden. Given the village's secluded, forested setting, it frequently attracted highwaymen, adding to its mystique.
The Church of All Saints, a notable landmark, dates back to the 13th century and stands prominently along the main road. An enormous tree next to the church, believed to be mentioned in the Domesday survey, boasts a girth exceeding 36 feet, a testament to its age and grandeur. For many years, a market thrived in the churchyard every Sunday until 1230, when the Norman nobleman Hamo de Crevecoeur granted it permission to take place on his own lands.
**HAUNTINGS**
In the summer of 1988, an unusual experience unfolded in the graveyard of Brenchley. A visitor lost in contemplation among the weathered stones and fading inscriptions suddenly sensed a presence nearby. When he lifted his gaze, he was taken aback by the apparition of what appeared to be a Roman soldier. Clad in a closely fitting helmet, this spectral figure emanated an ethereal aura, appearing both youthful and handsome.
While medieval soldiers may have donned similar helmets, the region's historical significance in ironmaking hints at the possibility that Romans also used this land. The soldier seemed intently focused on a gravestone. Still, as the man cautiously approached, the apparition vanished, leaving an air of mystery and a haunting chill in the summer air.
ST DUNSTANS CHURCH
CHURCH GATE HOUSE, STONE STREET, CRANBROOK, TN17
St Dunstan's Church, a remarkable edifice with a rich history, was originally founded as a Roman Catholic church and is now a cherished property of the Church of England. Reverently referred to as the Cathedral of the Weald, this stunning structure dates back to the late 13th century and is classified as a Grade I listed building, underscoring its architectural and historical significance.
Towering at an impressive 74 feet, the church's majestic tower, finished in 1425, showcases a wooden effigy of Father Time, complete with his iconic scythe, prominently displayed on the south face. The church's construction began in the late 1200s, with the chancel arch and porch being added a century later. Subsequent enhancements included the nave and tower, which were completed after 1500. Notable figures William Slater and Ewan Christian undertook significant restoration work in 1863, ensuring the church's preservation for future generations.
Above the south porch lies a fascinating historical remnant known as Bakers Hole, or Bakers Gaol. This room was named in honor of Sir John Baker, an influential English politician born in Cranbrook who resided at the nearby Sissinghurst Castle. Serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1545 until his death in 1558, Baker was previously the Speaker of the House of Commons of England. He earned a grim reputation as a fierce persecutor of Protestants, receiving the ominous moniker 'Bloody Baker.'
A compelling tale is woven into Baker's legacy; it is said that he was on horseback, en route to persecute Protestants, when he learned of Queen Mary’s death. The grim news prompted him to turn back at a crossroads that would later bear his name: Baker's Cross in Kent, forever linking the stories of a brutal era with this historic landmark.
**HAUNTINGS**
The legend says that the prisoners' groans can be heard coming from the Bakers Gaol long after they have gone.
There is also another story that an infuriated mob captured Baker and placed him in prison over the porch, then collected faggots and burnt him alive in the marketplace. The screams of Sir Baker can be heard in the vicinity on certain moonless nights, but the official story from the ''Notes on the life of Sir John Baker of Sissinghurst Kent''- Compiled by the Rev FV Baker, he died in London in December, less than a month after Queen Mary, and was buried in Cranbrook with his wife Elizabeth, so I would say the prisoners story is more likely.