England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Chiddingstone St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Chiddingstone lies in southeastern Kent forming a short stretch of the county's border with neighbouring Sussex. Chiddingstone is located roughly 8 miles southwest of the town of Sevenoaks and sits just over a mile south of the B2027 road which connects Tonbridge through to Oxted. Chiddingstone is a small and compact and thoroughly picturesque village sitting within the High Weald, the main street is a classical view of gabled timber-framed houses facing the parish church, a postcard and jigsaw subject view. Chiddingstone is dominated by the estate of Chiddingstone Castle, not so much a Norman edifice as a large mansion, it once stood alongside the main street but everything was diverted to create an extensive park complete with lake, the home of Streatfield family. The ground within the Weald is developed upon infertile sands and gravels that do not lend themselves readily to agriculture, the past description of the result id wood-pasture & heath, Chiddingstone was fortunate in sitting beside the River Eden and its flood-plain gave better quality grazing. Modern developments have come to the parish, the London to Tonbridge railway line cutting through to the north without granting a station. Chiddingstone is drained eastwards by the Eden the short distance to the Medway which takes a northerly course passing though the North Downs to reach the outer Thames estuary passing the naval port of Chatham. Chiddingstone is sited at around 50 metres above the sea, to its south a few spots breach the 100 metre contour in gently undulating terrain. Chiddingstone parish was one of the largest in its county, as are many Wealden parishes which required large areas to support their populations, covering just over 5,700 acres it would have supported a rather dispersed population numbering around 1,400 parishioners, fewer than a couple of hundred actually inhabiting the village. Like much of the Weald Chiddingstone is not mentioned in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the northern side of the main street, Chiddingstone Road, facing the picturesque cottages that line its southern side. Whilst the church has its origins in the 13th century, the earliest fabric being Early English Gothic and restricted to the eastern wall of the chancel, it was much changed as a result of a fire in 1624. Much of the church had to be rebuilt and therefore dates from that decade of the 17th century, the church was restored and reconsecrated in 1629. The church was rebuilt around its medieval surviving fabric so shows a hotch-potch of styles and periods. The 13th century volume of fabric is small but much remains of the early 14th century Decorated styling represented very well by the lengthy 6-bay arcades complete with octagonal piers and double-chamfered arches. The later Perpendicular styling is also well represented by both the richly moulded western doorway but especially by the bold and dramatic western tower which many believe to be the finest in its county. It was the southern side of the church which was most impacted by the fire and following the rebuild it shows a regular uniformity presented to the road. Pevsner does not mention a Victorian restoration so if one occurred it was sensitive and light of touch. Chiddingstone Road is well used for local parking on-street, the churchyard has a neat lychgate for entry leading through a pathway sunken below grass level to the church. Such is the size of the church and its close proximity to the southern boundary that often the better views are those from the road either way there are few obstacles for the photographer from the southern favoured aspects.