Littlebourne can be explored through a range of themes: a 13th-century flint church, an 18th-century watermill and walks through meadowland with views across open farmland. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on architectural history, landscape or a guided tour by arrangement. That way, you do not have to fit every theme into a tightly packed day.
Comparing Historic Buildings
The Church of St Vincent was built from flint in the 13th century. Its chancel stands higher than the aisles, and the south doorway dates from the 19th century. A shingled, broach spire rises from the west tower. These different architectural features give you several specific details to look out for when viewing the church: the building material, the stepped heights and the shape of the spire.
Littlebourne Mill offers a different type of architecture. The watermill dates from the 18th century. Its main section has four storeys and an attic in the gable ends; the upper storeys are clad in painted weatherboarding. Littlebourne House also dates from the 18th century, but it has two storeys and is built of red brick. A slate roof and parapet complete its description. This makes it possible to compare buildings from the same period but with different forms and materials: a mill with tall, clad upper storeys on one hand, and a two-storey brick house on the other.
Conservation Area and River Landscape
The Littlebourne Conservation Area covers most of the historic settlement and is divided into five distinct character areas. This division provides a framework for understanding Littlebourne’s character beyond any single building.
The Green is an open area in the flat valley of the Little Stour and stretches down to the river. The Little Stour forms near Littlebourne, where the Nailbourne and Silver Dyke converge. This brings two different aspects of the landscape together: The Green describes the open valley, while the confluence explains how the river forms.
On Foot and by Bicycle
Two different walking routes are worth considering when planning a visit on foot. The route through Littlebourne churchyard crosses meadowland and offers long views across open farmland. In Nargate Street, a public footpath leads over a wooden footbridge to the former site of Ickham Mill. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1907. Check the route and conditions locally before setting out.
Littlebourne Barn dates from around 1340. Tours of the barn are available by arrangement from April to September. If you would like to plan a tour, ask about dates before your trip and check availability. This lets you plan your visit around actual availability, rather than assuming a tour will be available at short notice.
Cycling is also linked to the connection with Canterbury: a completed project from Littlebourne to Canterbury aimed to create a safer, direct cycling route from east Canterbury to the city centre. If you include a ride in your plans, check current route conditions.
Discover more destinations: Egerton, Aylesham, Hempstead, Newington, Wingham, Wye, Deal, Hythe.
View the wider travel overview: Kent.
