MAIDSTONE DISTRICT
STATELY HOMES, CASTLES & TOWERS
Kent is home to various stately homes, country houses, castles, and towers, some of which have intriguing stories of hauntings throughout history. Notable figures like Sir Winston Churchill and Charles Darwin are linked to some of these locations. Additionally, there are lesser-known treasures that hold their own surprises.
Here is what has been found so far in the Maidstone District
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Please note that not all of these sites are publicly accessible, as some may be located on private property. Be sure to check in advance and obtain permission if necessary. Do not trespass!
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If you know of any sites that are missing or have heard reports of paranormal activity at any stately homes Castle & Towers not mentioned here, please get in touch. Thank you.
ALLINGTON CASTLE
CASTLE ROAD, ALLINGTON, MAIDSTONE ME16
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Local legend states that a maid at the castle was hanged for drowning her illegitimate child in the moat, and it is believed her ghost haunts the castle. Phantom footsteps have been reported walking around the premises, and witnesses claim to have seen her ghostly apparition near Solomon's Tower and in the garden of King's Tower. I have found evidence of this in a newspaper article in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser - Tuesday July 01st 1890 Castles Old Halls and Abbeys of Kent By W. Dampike XVI.—Allington Castle. which included information from Mr Russels 'History of Maidstone' where he discusses the Kent assizes of 1678 and the young woman causing the death of her new born by throwing it out of one of the upper windows of the castle.
**HISTORY**
The first castle was built by William de Warenne, the 2nd Earl of Surrey, during King Stephen's reign in the early 12th century, a period known as the Anarchy.
This structure was a moated mound, possibly a motte and bailey, located about one mile north of Maidstone, adjacent to a bend in the River Medway.
It was an unauthorised castle, and its demolition was ordered in 1174 during the reign of Henry II, when royal control was reestablished. A small fortified manor house replaced it, with only a section of the original wall and the kitchen fireplace remaining.
Stephen de Pencester, the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, received a license from Edward I to crenellate the existing manor house, leading to the construction of the present castle between 1279 and 1299.
This version became more of a residence than a fortress, with bricks used due to Stephen's interests in a brickyard in Essex.
The castle was inherited by Pencester's daughter and passed to the Cobham family through marriage. Sir Henry de Cobham continued the building's development in the early 14th century, incorporating elements of the old manor house into the new castle. Unfortunately, after his death, the castle fell into neglect, and by 1398-99, it was described in documentary sources as being in terrible condition, but it remained in the Cobham family until 1492.
It was then purchased by Henry Wyatt, an English nobleman, knight, courtier, and politician. The castle was converted into a mansion. It was fortified with royal permission, and Henry VIII visited it in 1527 to meet Wolsey on his return from the continent. Henry became the Treasurer of the King's Chamber from 1524 to 1528.
In 1554, the Crown seized the castle while dispossessing Henry Wyatt's Grandson, Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, after the failure of his rebellion against Queen Mary, known as the Wyatt's rebellion, some 12 years after his father's death. He was described as a young man of somewhat wild and impulsive temperament, and on April 11th 1554, he was executed for his rebellious actions. His head, before it was stolen on April 17th, was hung from a gallows. His limbs were then circulated among towns and also hung up for display.
The castle suffered severe fire damage in the late 16th century.
The later portion was inhabited in the 1600s by the Best Family, Allington parish registers records: '' 1631, Elizabeth Best, daughter of John Best the younger of Allington Castle, baptised May 20th'
The more ancient part of the castle had been left in a delapidated condition for upwards of two hundred and fifty years.
Subsequent owners made various alterations and expansions over the next two centuries. The property was developed into a fortified compound with six towers at irregular intervals along the curtain wall and domestic interior buildings, including one of the first long galleries built in England.
The older and fire-damaged areas were decayed, worsened by neglect and vandalism.
In 1895, a retired London barrister named Dudley C. Falke rented the castle from Lord Romney and began the lengthy restoration process. However, the cost proved overwhelming.
In 1905, he approached Sir William Martin Conway (later Lord Conway, 1st Baron Conway of Allington), an English art critic, politician, cartographer and mountaineer, looking to purchase an old castle or manor house. The sale of the castle was agreed upon and partly restored through the efforts of Sir Martin and his wife during the early 20th century. After his death, in 1937, his wife sold the property, and from 1951 to 1999, it served as home to a convent of the Order of Carmelites.
It gained a Grade I Listing in 1951.
The castle returned to being a private residence in 1999 and is currently home to Sir Robert Worcester KBE, DL, an American-born British pollster and the founder of MORI (Market & Opinion Research International Ltd.).
Although it is a private residence, the Great Hall, furnished in keeping with its medieval origins—including tapestries and antique furniture—and the gardens can be hired as exclusive wedding venues or filming locations. They also lease several boat moorings on a long-term non-residential basis.
The popular Kentish Lady Riverboat tour features an exclusive stopover at Allington Castle as part of a special weekly pre-booked excursion available via the Riverboat Tours website.
BINBURY CASTLE
THURNHAM MAIDSTONE
No Website - Ruins
(Latitude:51° 18' 44" N Longitude:0° 35' 52" E Lat/Long (dec):51.31235,0.59785)
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Ghost Connections has investigated this, but they have no firm evidence to report besides Clairvoyant results, which they provide upon request.
**HISTORY**
Situated in the disused Detling airfield and on an industrial estate, this Medieval Castle dating from 1090 AD to 1539 AD is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended, as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance.
A 100-foot-wide motte and bailey castle with the remains of a masonry tower within the site of the bailey.
The castle stands on the tableland of the North Downs and is now within the bounds of the former Detling airfield. The manor formed a portion of the holding of Bishop Odo of Bayeux.
After his lands were forfeited, Binbury's manor was granted to Gilbert de Magminot.
The name of the manor was anciently written Bingeberry. In Norman times, after the disgrace of Odo, who numbered it amongst his innumerable holdings, it formed part of the Barony of Magminot, the tenure of which entailed the maintenance of several soldiers for the special purpose of guarding Dover Castle. Thus, it may be said that Binbury held some military distinction very early.
It then passed with the adjacent manor of Thurnham to the de Northwordes, during the reign of Edward III (1327 to 1377) and brought tragedy for them. It was recorded that while Lady Northwoode was standing on the precipice of the hill to see a fox dug out, the earth, being loose and sandy, gave way beneath her, and the hanging hill, falling at the same time, stifled her to death before any assistance could be given.
The castle survives as earthwork remains, which include a substantial earthen mound, or motte, surrounded by a large moat. To the southeast are the remains of a formerly walled bailey, which lie the upstanding remains of a tower, thought to represent a mural tower.
The motte survives as an oval earthwork mound that rises about 5m above the surrounding ground level.
Surrounding the motte is a moat that is partially infilled on the north, west, and south sides. The moat has been deliberately infilled to the east of the motte and now survives as a buried feature. The castle bailey lies beyond the infilled moat on the southeast side of the motte. A wall enclosed this area initially, but the only upstanding masonry that now survives is the ruins of a possible mural tower, which was incorporated into a later medieval manor house.
Built into the mound are World War II air raid shelters. These have brick entrances on the side of the mound; the main chamber is constructed from steel and concrete and is situated at approximately ground level with a brick ventilation shaft.
A concrete bunker, also from World War II, is situated in the northwestern corner of the monument on the outer bank of the moat.
Despite disturbance caused by the wartime military use of the site and the Manor house building, the Binbury motte and bailey castle survives comparatively well. The summit of the motte and the bailey area has remained largely undisturbed and contains archaeological remains and related environmental evidence within the landscape in which it was located. Archaeological and documentary evidence from this site will give an insight into the construction of this particular form of bailey and its use, as well as the inhabitants' economy and way of life.
LEEDS CASTLE
MAIDSTONE ME17
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Legend has it that a ghostly big dog, described as a black Labrador, has haunted the Castle since the 15th century. It is said that looking into the eyes of this phantom dog may bring about something terrible. Residents from the past have reported seeing the dog vanish through walls. More recently, witnesses have reported two additional ghostly dogs: a small white dog and a larger dark one. These apparitions are thought to be connected to Lady Baillie, who owned a white terrier named Smudge and a Great Dane named Boots.
**HISTORY**
Leeds Castle, shrouded in mist, mystery, and legend, has withstood the test of time for 1,000 years and is considered one of the most remarkable buildings in the British Isles. As one of the oldest castles in Kent, it is also one of England's most picturesque, sitting on two small islands within a tranquil lake.
Throughout its history, the Castle has served various roles: a Norman stronghold, the private residence of six of England’s medieval queens, a palace for Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, a Jacobean country house, a Georgian mansion, and a stylish retreat for the influential and famous in the early 20th century. Today, in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic sites in Britain.
In 1517, King Henry VIII made significant improvements to the Castle, transforming it into a Royal Palace for his queen, Catherine. By 1618, the owner, Warham St. Leger, sold Leeds Castle to Sir Richard Smythe to finance his expedition with Sir Walter Raleigh to Guyana. In 1632, Smythe constructed a large Jacobean house on the north end of the island, where the New Castle now stands.
In 1665, the Culpeper family leased the Gloriette to the Government to house Dutch prisoners from the Anglo-Dutch War. Unfortunately, a fire started by these prisoners partially destroyed the Gloriette. In 1749, Robert Fairfax, the owner at the time, drastically altered the appearance of the Jacobean house, making it resemble Strawberry Hill in Twickenham.
In 1821, Fiennes Wykeham Martin inherited the Castle and immediately began construction work, demolishing the Jacobean house to build a ‘New Castle’ in a more fitting medieval style. During World War II in 1939, the Castle played a crucial role in a secret project to develop weapons and safety systems and hosted several important meetings, including one between Field Marshal Montgomery and Sir Bertram Ramsay.
In 1974, Lady Baillie, the then owner, passed away and bequeathed the Castle and its 500-acre park to the nation, under the trusteeship of the Leeds Castle Foundation. The Castle was subsequently opened to the public.
For a full timeline of the history of the Castle, please refer to additional resources HERE
THURNHAM CASTLE (ALSO KNOWN AS GODARD'S CASTLE)
WHITE HORSE WOOD COUNTRY PARK DETLING ME14
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
A ghost story involves a seven-foot-tall man dressed in a green and blue tunic who is said to run around, brush up against visitors, and wave his arms wildly. Although he does not have a face, he does have short hair.
In 2005, Ghost Connections conducted an investigation, and you can read their detailed report HERE.
In 2013, they were also contacted by someone named James, who confirmed one of their findings and gave an account of what he and some friends had experienced when they visited the ruins, including the story described above.
**HISTORY**
Also known as Godard's Castle is possibly named after the Bishop of Rouen (488 to 525), known as Gildard, Gildardus, Gildaredus, Godard, or Godardus. He was made a Roman Catholic Church Saint, and the Sarum Rite's missal refers to him as a confessor.
From the urns found in this locality and other evidence, the Romans had made a station there, so Godard's Castle is probably a relic, though it may have been used and repaired by the Saxons afterwards.
Some even suppose it was an English military position before Caesar's landing, given its advantageous site on a hill at the edge of the North Downs, for observing the extensive valley below and the critical stretch of surrounding country it commands.
The Domesday Book (1086) tells us the land was held by Ralph de Courbepine, a tenant of Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent. A church and a mill are mentioned, but no castle.
So many theories have been discussed over time, and you can read more on it via the Kent Archaeology website HERE
In the 12th century, the site belonged to the De Say family and the Thurnhams.
Thurnham Castle was constructed under the guidance of Robert of Thurnham during the reign of Henry II (1154 to 1189). One side of the bailey wall remains standing at a height of 10 feet, originally enclosing an area of about a quarter of an acre. There is no visible stonework on the large motte.
The sons of the builder, Stephen Thurnham and his younger brother Robert Thurnham, took part in the Crusades alongside Richard the Lionheart. Robert became a trusted subject, commanding the English fleet and later serving as governor of Cyprus. His brother Stephen was honoured with the responsibility of escorting the Queen Mother.
A charter from 1215 references the lands within the castle walls.
In 1850, it was put up for auction;
The property of Thomas De Thurnham in the reign of the first Richard
''THIS ESTATE WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
at the Mart, near the Bank of England, London, Wednesday, July 10th 1850, at Noon, called GODDARD'S or THURNHAM CASTLE.
Extending from the ancient Pilgrim's Road to the Stockbury Road. It includes the Ruins of the ROMAN WATCH TOWER, with its keep, formerly a speculator; station of the Romans, and doubtless chosen for its commanding position, embracing within its view a vast and RICHLY DIVERSIFIED RANGE OF COUNTRY, highly cultivated. Many Roman urns and vessels of domestic use have been discovered here, and the neighbourhood abounds in historical associations. The property extends to 114 acres, 62 of which are meadow and pasture, 42 arable, and 9 acres chestnut and oak plantation. There are two cottages, a barn, cattle lodges, and sheds, placed adjoining the high road, and they are in excellent repair. Two wells of great depth supply the water, and a lime kiln and chalk pit also adjoin the road from Thurnham to Sittingbourne, which passes through the centre of the estate. The site of the old Castle offers a position for building a residence. Thurnham glebe land, and the estates of Sir G. Haropson and the Earl of Aylesford, bound this property.''
Then, over the following years, parts of that land and its contents—the meadows, newly built housing, and cow sheds—were sold at auctions.
By the early 19th century, the castle had been ruined.
In 1983, Mr. H. Batchelor, the castle's then owner, allowed access to undertake surveying for two years.
The site had since been acquired by Kent County Council and is included in the White Horse Millennium Wood and Country Park Project. Much of the undergrowth was cleared, allowing public access to the area.