Wingham offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: walking routes, a medieval church and a layered village history, complemented by an animal experience at the Wildlife Park. When planning your route, you can choose between the parish’s footpaths and two specifically described walks; their details range from distance and route to pace and meeting point.

Walks around Wingham

The parish’s 2024/2025 footpaths report lists 30 paths that either lie entirely within the parish boundaries or cross them. This figure describes the parish’s network of paths, not just a single circular walk.

For a route with a clearly stated distance, Wingham Walks No 1 is an option: the walk is rated easy, is one mile long and is described as accessible to all. It leads to St Mary's Church and follows a public footpath to a bridge over the river. Check the conditions on the route before setting off.

The Wingham Health Walk explores the countryside around the village and is taken at a moderate pace. The meeting point is outside Wingham Church; it may occasionally change, so confirm it in advance. To choose between them, you can compare a stated distance and easy rating on the one hand with countryside and a moderate pace on the other. Confirming the meeting point is part of planning for the Health Walk.

Churches and architectural history

The Church of St Mary in Wingham is a Grade I listed building. St Mary the Virgin in Wingham is a medieval church and has been at the heart of village life since at least the 13th century. A church guide is available inside.

In 1286, Archbishop Peckham founded a college in Wingham; many of the village’s older buildings date from this period. The Red Lion building is a Grade II* listed inn, and its main structure dates from around 1400. It may incorporate parts of Wingham College. In earlier times it was a market house and a manor court house; until 1883, it served as a sessions house. The Red Lion therefore brings together a main structure with a known date and several former uses.

Wingham Court and Garden Wall also add to the historical picture: the house dates from the 15th century and was extended in 1574. Wingham Court is described as the principal house of the archbishop’s manor.

Animal experience and an important access restriction

During the Tiger Experience at Wingham Wildlife Park, participants can feed a tiger using feeding tongs. The experience can be booked, but availability may change. Check availability before making it a firm part of your stay.

The site of Wingham Roman Villa may be on private land and has no visible remains. Therefore, do not plan it as a freely accessible visit to ruins, and do not enter private property without permission.

Discover more destinations: Whitfield, Elham, Westgate-On-Sea, Walmer, Southborough, Elmsted, Matfield, Willesborough.

For the main travel overview: Kent.