This section describes the stones used by the builders of the external walls in the older churches along the Royal Saxon Way (RSW) and the likely sources of those stones. It has been compiled by Joan Blows the author of “Strategic Stone Study – A Building Stone Atlas of Kent” (Blows, J. (2017).
The churches are listed below in the order presented in the Royal Saxon Way web pages available by following the link: The Churches of the Royal Saxon Way
ST MARY AND ST EANSWYTHE, FOLKESTONE
Setting : On level ground near a steep sea cliff.
Founded on : Head over Folkestone Formation
Likely sources of stone : Stone for walls was available nearby from the Folkestone Formation, notably from quarries in the local cliffs. Both rubble and cut stonework is of FOLKESTONE STONE (limestone, sandstone, ironstone and chert) together with some KENTISH RAGSTONE (limestone) including the distinctive softer blue-green stone, probably from Hythe. Sand for mortar would have been available from local pits in the Folkestone Formation, and lime from the chalk outcrop 2km to the north.
ST PAUL, SANDGATE
Setting : On sloping ground near the mouth of the Enbrook Valley.
Founded on : Sandgate Formation, close to the outcrop of the Hythe Formation.
Likely sources of stone : Built in 1848-9, the walls are of brick on a plinth of coursed squared grey KENTISH RAGSTONE, probably from local quarries in Hythe or Sandgate, plus some FOLKESTONE STONE. The adjacent retaining walls are of similar coursed Ragstone, plus some TUFA, probably derived from the Hythe Formation. These materials may have been re-used from an earlier chapel built in 1822. It is likely the bricks were sourced from local brickworks to the north of Cheriton on the outcrop of the Gault Clay. The former primary school nearly opposite, built 1866, is a good example of Victorian ‘polygonal’ KENTISH RAGSTONE stonework from local sources.
ST MARTIN, HORN STREET, CHERITON
Setting : On the elevated St Martin’s Plain.
Founded on : Folkestone Formation
Likely sources of stone : Uncut stone for rubble walls was available nearby from the Folkestone Formation; stone which could be cut to shape was also available in the vicinity from the Hythe Formation. FOLKESTONE STONE (limestone, sandstone and chert) and KENTISH RAGSTONE (limestone) notably forming quoins, and including the distinctive softer blue-green ragstone used in the later phases. Sand for mortar would have been available from local pits in the Folkestone Formation, and lime from the chalk outcrop 2km to the north.
ST NICHOLAS, NEWINGTON
Setting : Close to the foot of the North Downs scarp.
Founded on : Folkestone Formation
Likely sources of stone : The upper part of the Folkestone Formation contains bands of durable stone suitable for rubble walls and local pits or fields are likely to be the source of almost all the materials. The walls and many quoins are of angular cherts, sandstones and limestones of the local FOLKESTONE STONE. Some early quoins and the west doorway are of CAEN STONE from Normandy; other quoins and cut stone of KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Sandgate, some with mollusc borings indicating a source on the foreshore. Sand for mortar would have been available from local pits in the Folkestone Formation, and lime from the chalk outcrop 1km to the north.
ST MARY AND ST ETHELBURGA, LYMINGE
Setting : On the side of the Elham Valley, near the source of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : Zig Zag Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop. The rubble walls are mostly of FOLKESTONE STONE (sandstones, limestones and cherts), possibly from the vicinity of Sandling some 4km to the south. There are also cobbles of IRONSTONE from the Folkestone Formation, or from the nearby outcrops of the Clay-with-Flints, and some irregular weathered FLINT, probably from local quaternary deposits. Early quoins are quarried limestone from near RYDE on the Isle of Wight. Cut stone for window and door surrounds and quoins includes KENTISH RAGSTONE, probably from Hythe or Sandgate, and CAEN stone from Normandy. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly from the vicinity of Sandling or from the nearby outcrops of the Clay-with-Flints.
ST MARY, ELHAM
Setting : Near the base of the Elham Valley.
Founded on : Holywell Nodular Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The rubble walls are predominantly of FLINT, probably from field sources higher up the valley sides; there are also scattered pieces of FOLKESTONE STONE sandstone and chert probably from the vicinity of Sandling, and IRONSTONE from the Folkestone Formation or from the nearby outcrops of the Clay-with-Flints. Cut stone for window and door surrounds and quoins includes KENTISH RAGSTONE, probably from Hythe or Sandgate, and CAEN stone from Normandy. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, and sand possibly from the vicinity of Sandling or from the nearby outcrops of the Clay-with-Flints.
ST JOHN, BARHAM
Setting : On the side of the Elham Valley.
Founded on : Seaford Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The rubble walls are predominantly of FLINT, probably from local field sources. Most of the quoins are of KENTISH RAGSTONE, probably from Hythe, and many windows are CAEN stone from Normandy. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar.
ST GILES, KINGSTON
Setting : Near the base of the valley of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : Head over Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The walls are of FLINT rubble, probably obtained from local fields. Quoins are of KENTISH RAGSTONE some with mollusc borings indicating it was obtained from the foreshore near Hythe or Sandgate, and FOLKESTONE STONE. Cut stone for window and door surrounds includes CAEN stone from Normandy, and KENTISH RAGSTONE. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar.
ST MARY, BISHOPSBOURNE
Setting : Close to the base of the valley of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : River Terrace Deposits 3 over Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The walls are almost entirely of FLINT rubble, possibly obtained from local terrace gravels associated with the Nail Bourne. Cut stone obtained from further afield for window and door surrounds and quoins includes CAEN stone from Normandy, and KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Sandgate, some with mollusc borings indicating it was obtained from the foreshore. Scattered pieces of re-used Roman brick. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly from the local river terrace deposits.
ST PETER, BRIDGE
Setting : Near the base of the valley of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : Seaford Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : On the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. St Peter’s was fully rebuilt in 1859-61; some materials may have been transported on the railway to Canterbury, opened in 1846. The walls are entirely of semi-coursed FLINT carefully selected, probably from local field sources. Cut stone for window surrounds and quoins is BATH STONE. The Norman doorways at the west end and north transept are CAEN STONE from Normandy.
ST MARY, PATRIXBOURNE
Setting : Close to the base of the valley of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : Alluvium over Seaford Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : Sited on the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The walls are of FLINT rubble, probably obtained from local field sources. Cut stone for window and door surrounds and quoins includes CAEN stone from Normandy, KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Maidstone, BATH STONE and TUNBRIDGE WELLS SANDSTONE. In addition, scattered pieces of THANET SANDSTONE and FOLKESTONE STONE are seen in the walls. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly from the local river terrace deposits.
ST PETER, BEKESBOURNE
Setting : On the side of the valley of the Nailbourne.
Founded on : Margate Chalk or Seaford Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : Sited on the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The walls are almost entirely of FLINT rubble, possibly obtained from local terrace gravels associated with the Little Stour River. Cut stone obtained from further afield for window and door surrounds and quoins includes CAEN stone from Normandy, KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Maidstone, and REIGATE stone from Surrey. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly from the local river terrace deposits.
WELL CHAPEL, GARRINGTON
Setting : Close to the base of the valley, beside springs forming the source of the Little Stour.
Founded on : Alluvium over Margate Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : Ruined medieval chapel sited on the Chalk outcrop, with flint the only durable stone available from nearby sources. The core and facings of the walls are of FLINT rubble, probably obtained from local field sources. Cut stone for quoins includes CAEN stone from Normandy, and KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Sandgate, some with mollusc borings indicating it was obtained from the foreshore. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly from the local river terrace deposits.
ST VINCENT, LITTLEBOURNE
Setting : Near the base of the valley of the Little Stour, which would have formed an inlet of the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : Head over Margate Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : Rubble stonework, mostly FLINT, probably from local river terrace deposits. Most cut stone and scattered pieces are of CAEN STONE from Normandy, and KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe, or from Maidstone via the River Medway. There are a few scattered pieces of CHALK and REIGATE STONE from Surrey, possibly via the Thames at Kingston or Battersea. Chalk for lime-making may have been obtained from local pits.
ST JOHN, ICKHAM
Setting : Near the base of the valley of the Little Stour, which would have formed an inlet of the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : Head over Thanet Formation (close to outcrop of Margate chalk Formation)
Likely sources of stone : Rubble stonework, mostly FLINT, probably from local river terrace deposits. Most cut stone and scattered pieces are of CAEN STONE from Normandy, and KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe or Sandgate, some having mollusc borings indicating a source on the foreshore. There are scattered pieces of REIGATE STONE from Surrey, possibly via the Thames at Kingston or Battersea, and some TUFA and PURBECK MARBLE. Chalk for lime-making may have been obtained from local pits.
ST ANDREW, WICKHAMBREAUX
Setting : Near the base of the valley of the Little Stour, which would have formed an inlet of the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : River Terrace Deposits over Thanet Formation (close to outcrop of Margate Chalk Formation)
Likely sources of stone : Rubble stonework, mostly un-worn FLINT, probably from local field sources with some THANET SANDSTONE, from the foreshore at Reculver or Pegwell Bay. Cut stone CAEN STONE from Normandy, REIGATE STONE from Surrey, possibly via the Thames at Kingston or Battersea, and KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe, or from Maidstone via the River Medway. Chalk for lime-making may have been obtained from local pits.
ST MILDRED, PRESTON
Setting : On the side of the valley of the Little Stour, which would have formed an inlet of the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : Head over Lambeth Group.
Likely sources of stone : Rubble stonework, from a variety of sources, probably chosen for transport by boat. Rounded FLINT, possibly from shingle banks near Sandwich; CAEN STONE from Normandy; THANET SANDSTONE, from the foreshore at Reculver or Pegwell Bay; FOLKESTONE STONE (sandstone) from Folkestone; KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe, or from Maidstone via the River Medway. The mortar contains beach shell material; chalk for lime-making may have been obtained from near Wingham or from the Thanet coast.
ALL SAINTS, WEST STOURMOUTH
Setting : Close to the base of the valley of the Little Stour, which would have formed an inlet of the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : Head over Harwich Formation
Likely sources of stone : Mixed rubble stonework, from a variety of sources, probably chosen for transport by boat. Rounded FLINT, possibly from shingle banks near Sandwich; THANET SANDSTONE from the foreshore at Reculver or Pegwell Bay; FOLKESTONE STONE (limestone, sandstone and chert) from Folkestone; KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe, or from Maidstone via the River Medway; TUFA possibly from near Dover. The mortar contains much beach shell material; chalk may have been obtained from the Thanet coast for making lime.
ST MARY, MINSTER
Setting : Close to the coastline of Thanet, beside the navigable Wantsum channel; the channel became largely silted-up by C16.
Founded on : Head over Thanet Formation
Likely sources of stone : Mixed rubble stonework, from a variety of sources, probably chosen for transport by boat. Rounded FLINT, possibly from the foot of cliffs near Ramsgate; THANET SANDSTONE, from the foreshore at Reculver or Pegwell Bay; CAEN STONE from Normandy; KENTISH RAGSTONE from Hythe, or from Maidstone via the River Medway; REIGATE STONE from Surrey, possibly via the Thames at Kingston or Battersea. Re-used Roman bricks can also be seen. Chalk would have been available locally for making lime for mortar; the mortar is shelly in places.
ST OSWALD, PADDLESWORTH (on the RSW Loop)
Setting : On the chalk upland.
Founded on : Clay-with-Flints over New Pit Chalk Formation.
Likely sources of stone : The rubble walls are of irregular FLINT, some with distinctive orange-brown banding, and cobbles of IRONSTONE from local fields on the Clay-with-Flints. Most quoins are of CAEN Stone from Normandy. Cut stone for window and door surrounds and quoins includes KENTISH RAGSTONE, probably from Hythe or Sandgate. Plentiful supplies of chalk locally for making lime for mortar, with sand possibly also from local pits on the Clay-with-Flints.
NBs :
These notes aim to identify the stones available to the church builders of early medieval times.
The building stones described here are sedimentary rocks which are by nature variable. The source of the stones may in some cases be narrowed down to the outcrops of the rocks in a locality, but it is not generally possible to identify the pit or quarry any particular stone was dug from.
These notes are an overview based on brief visual inspection from ground level – many church walls contain an intriguing variety of materials, not all of which are recorded here – happy hunting!
Repair and refurbishment of many churches during the C19 included the use of sawn stone from Jurassic sources elsewhere in the country, including Bath, York and Portland much of which could be transported by rail. These stones are not included in the notes.
Stone was more readily transported by sea than overland, up to mid-C19 and the coming of the railway age.
Stone may have been re-used/re-purposed, e.g. after the Conquest, and after the Dissolution.
Folkestone Stone and Ragstone often indistinguishable (ragstone has no coarse quartz); chert and coarse sand grains are absent from Hythe Beds east of Boughton Malherbe; ‘In east Kent buildings, grey, coarse to gritty stone with patches of chert is likely to be Folkestone Stone’ – Worssam (ref below).
Joan Blows
Rev. 06/06/2023
Refs :
A Building Stone Atlas of KENT – Strategic Stone Study – Historic England – December 2017. A Building Stone Atlas of Kent (bgs.ac.uk)
Kentish Rag and Other Kent Building Stones – Worssam, B.C. and Tatton-Brown, T. Arch. Cantiana, Vol. CXII 1993 p93-125
Kent Churches – Architectural & Historical Information (kentarchaeology.org.uk)
Geomusings 