On the doorstep of the Kent Downs, Faversham is a historic market town whose name translates from Old English as “metal worker’s village”. It is located along Watling Street, an ancient route that linked Dover to St Albans and one of the most important Roman roads in Britannia.
Things to do in Faversham
Begin your visit to Faversham at the Fleur de Lis Museum, which occupies a coaching inn dating back to the 15th century. It offers an insight into the history of the area during the Iron Age and Elizabethan times when it was a bustling trade town with links throughout Northern Europe. Artefacts related to Faversham’s fruit and hop-growing industries are on display, together with dioramas depicting everyday life.
Adjoining the outer gatehouse of Faversham Abbey is Arden’s House, which is where Thomas Arden was infamously murdered in 1550. It is the subject of “Arden of Faversham”, a play that many believe was written by William Shakespeare. All that remains of the religious community once surrounding Faversham Abbey is St. Mary of Charity Church, which is topped by a soaring spire visible throughout the town.
On the northwestern outskirts of Faversham is Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, a picturesque green space on the site of a ruined gunpowder mill. It was an important ammunitions factory during World War I and it’s said that Guy Fawkes once bought gunpowder here. Aside from being a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the park’s woodlands and wetlands also provide an important habitat for native wildlife.
Getting around Faversham
Faversham is just over an hour’s drive from central London and 1.5 hours from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Faversham railway station and buses travel through the town. The centre of Faversham can easily be explored on foot.