English Heritage sites near Minster Parish
ST AUGUSTINE'S CROSS
1 miles from Minster Parish
This 19th-century cross of Saxon design marks what is traditionally thought to have been the site of St Augustine's landing on the shores of England in AD 597.
RICHBOROUGH ROMAN FORT AND AMPHITHEATRE
2 miles from Minster Parish
Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here.
DEAL CASTLE
7 miles from Minster Parish
For a fascinating day out on the Kent coast then look no further than Deal Castle. Built by the order of King Henry VIII it is one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England.
RECULVER TOWERS AND ROMAN FORT
8 miles from Minster Parish
An imposing landmark, the twin 12th-century towers of the ruined church stand amid the remains of an important Roman 'Saxon Shore' fort and a Saxon monastery.
WALMER CASTLE AND GARDENS
8 miles from Minster Parish
Built during the reign of King Henry VIII and perched on the picturesque Kent coastline, Walmer Castle is one of the most fascinating visitor attractions in the South East.
ST AUGUSTINE'S CONDUIT HOUSE
11 miles from Minster Parish
The Conduit House is part of the monastic waterworks which supplied nearby St Augustine's Abbey.
Churches in Minster Parish
St Mary the Virgin
Church Street
Minster
07788 791468
http://www.wantsumchurches.org/
Our beautiful medieval Parish Church stands on the northern edge of the original Wantsum Channel and the southern edge of the village.It receives many visitors each year as it features in both "Pevsner's Guide" and Simon Jenkin's "England's thousand best churches".
Known as the "Cathedral of the Marshes", people are surprised at the size of it. There is morning service at 10:30am every Sunday, using contemporary language and refreshments are served after the service. Holy Communion is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month.
There are several opportunities each year to meet and celebrate ecumenically with other christians in the area; the Roman Catholic sisters at the Abbey; St Mildred's Priory, the local Salvation Army and the Methodists at the nearby village of Monkton. The local Roman Catholic priest holds a Mass in the Church most Wednesdays at noon.
Minster village has a population of just under 4,000. It is an extremely well resourced village which won the Calor Village of the Year County Winner in 2009. It has a two form entry CoE primary school, lively parish council with Village website and magazine, Minster Matters and shops and pubs.
One of the popular annual village events is "Open Gardens". This usually involves up to 20 gardens being open over a weekend. The money raised is given for the mainenance of the fabric of the Parish church.
Remembrance Day is a community event when members of the local British Legion march to the parish church for a ceremony. The Community Carols (inside or out) are testament to the close community spirit.
The ground upon which the church of St. Mary the Virgin now stands, has long been hallowed as a place of worship. Originally founded in 670AD as a small monastic parish church, it would have been built using the inexpensive materials of mud and wood. Today, the present church was started by the Saxons and enlarged and absorbed by the Normans. The chancel is typically ‘Early English' in architecture and style, and the beautiful nave has remained in its present form since 1150. St. Mary's Church, traditionally called the ‘Cathedral on the Marshes' boasts a set of eighteen superbly preserved Misericords (Quire Stalls). At the west end of the nave, it is interesting to observe the Roman bricks, which were used in the masonry of both the wall and the Norman tower. An older Saxon turret is also incorporated into the massive Norman tower, carrying a belfry with a peal of five bells. St Mary's church spans centuries, but still retains to the glory of God an indescribable, peace-filled calm. We urge you to come and visit!
The Old Schools, conveniently situated in the churchyard, was originally the village school from 1847-1946. It's now put to good use by the church for community functions, and hired by local residents.
Whether as a tourist or a worshipper, we hope you enjoy your visit to Minster Parish Church. Come and enjoy the peace-filled calm.
You will find it open every day from 10am - 4pm
Pubs in Minster Parish
Bell Inn
2 High Street, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 4BU
(01843) 825707
thebellinnminster.weebly.com/
Corner House
42 Station Road, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 4BZ
None
cornerhouserestaurants.co.uk/
Hair of the Dog
This micro pub takes cash payments only.
It is a shop conversion suitably named as the premises had previously been a hairdressers and has brought ale variety to this lovely village. The premises bright décor and furnishings incorporate a...
Minster & Monkton Royal British Legion Club
Clements House, 61 Augustine Rd, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 4DH
(01843) 821471
New Inn
2 Tothill Street, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 4AG
(01843) 826142
thenewinn-minster.com/welcome
Saddler
A former Good Beer Guide Pub, its earliest entry being in 1974. It was sold by Shepherd Neame and coverted to a Turkish restaurant in 2020.
Smugglers Retreat
Tothill Street, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 4AQ
(01843) 820700
tabletable.co.uk/pub-restaurants/kent/sm...
St Augustines Golf Club
Cottington Road, Cliffsend, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 5JN
(01843) 590333
staugustinesgolfclub.co.uk/
Stonelees Golf Centre
Ebbsfleet Lane, Minster-in-Thanet, CT12 5DJ
(01843) 823133
stonelees.com/