Littlebourne, Kent

Littlebourne is a village and civil parish located four miles east of Canterbury in Kent. The area is notable for the Howletts Anglo-Saxon cemetery, considered “Jutish” in origin, with artefacts such as rare quoit brooches displayed in the British Museum.

Historically, the manor of Littlebourne belonged to St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury. The abbey maintained a vineyard here, a fact reflected in the parish church’s dedication to St Vincent of Saragossa, the patron saint of winemakers. This connection to viticulture is unique in the region.

The parish church itself dates back to the 13th century and is believed to have been founded by the monks of St Augustine’s. Inside, visitors can find a medieval wall painting of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travellers, adding to the church’s historical interest.