Attractions and Places To See around Biddenden - Top 20

Describing Sissinghurst Castle and Garden is not easy. Words like historical, poetic, iconic, beautiful, colorful, breathtaking almost come close to reality. It is a sanctuary dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a now world-famous garden in a very unique way.

James the Greater (the Latin word 'major' is not translated as 'great' in English), to whom this church in Egerton was dedicated, belongs together with his brother to the inner circle of Jesus' disciples. In his version of the "Good News" (this is the meaning of the word "gospel"), the evangelist Mark lists the apostles: "James, the son of Zebedee, and John, the brother of James - to whom he gave the surname Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). They are said to have been very temperamental, but were loyal followers of Jesus Christ, in whom they recognized the promised Messiah. According to the Acts of the Apostles, James was executed for his faith. His grave in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain) is one of the most famous and important pilgrimage destinations in the world.

These old windmills are the best proof that people were clever enough a number of centuries ago - long before the discovery of electricity and the inventions that resulted from it - to harness the power of the elements for their own purposes: no human or animal muscle power is needed for the grinding process, but the wind captured by the covered wings is enough to drive the heavy millstones and thus, for example, to grind flour from grain (grain mills) or to press oil from olives (oil mills). Often they are only technical and historical evidence of a long tradition of craftsmanship, because most - although fortunately not all - of the old mills have been abandoned over time.

Almost nothing reliable is known about the life of Saint GEORGE, to whom the church of Benenden was dedicated, but the veneration of him stretches back to early Christianity. A martyr who is equated with George is said to have lived in the third century. The legend of Saint George as a dragon slayer is well known and widespread, however, and he is usually depicted - in paintings or as a statue - as the conqueror of the monster, often as a knight on horseback. The memorial day of the very popular George in the calendar of saints is celebrated on April 23rd in both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. Among other things, he is the patron saint of the English kingdom, and some of the orders and decorations awarded there also bear his name.

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, to whom the church in Sandhurst Cross is dedicated, is – alongside Saint Martin – one of the most popular saints of all. His memorial day, December 6th, is probably known to almost every child in Germany – and far beyond. On the eve of this day, children used to put their shoes or boots – which had of course been carefully polished – in front of the door so that Saint Nicholas could fill them with gifts during the night. In more agricultural areas, it was also customary for children to also put out a small gift of food for the donkey, Saint Nicholas's mount (according to another tradition, it was a white horse).

A National Trust garden. Currently £17 per adult, parking £4. Do what we do and become a temporary member, you save a lot of money if you visit several buildings or gardens and also a lot of parking fees 😉

Union Mill is a Grade I-listed smock mill and is one of the tallest of its kind in Britain. Built in 1814 by millwright James Humphrey, the grand timber-framed structure continues to grind corn to this very day. The mill is free to enter (a donation is requested). For more information, visit: unionmill.org.uk.

Discover this beautiful historic church tucked away in the village of Sandhurst Cross.