Newington, Kent

Newington in Kent is a village steeped in history, situated beside the ancient Roman A2 road between Rainham and Sittingbourne. The village’s parish church, St Mary the Virgin, is a Grade I listed building constructed between 1163 and 1177 by Richard de Lucy. This historic church later became property of Henry VIII and now falls under the patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A curious feature nearby is the Devil’s Stone in the church car park, reputed to bear the Devil’s footprint.

Archaeological discoveries have revealed Newington’s significance dating back to the late Iron Age and Roman periods. Excavations uncovered iron furnaces, pottery kilns, a Roman temple known as Watling Temple, and a seven-metre-wide Roman road predating Watling Street. These finds suggest Newington may have been the site of the lost Roman station Durolevum. Additionally, the remains of a Roman villa were found at Boxted Farm in 1882.

The village also preserves several World War I pill boxes, reflecting its strategic importance during the 20th century. Newington holds the national collection of Witch Hazel at the Witch Hazel Nursery on Calloways Lane, adding a unique botanical interest to the area. Newington Manor, now a conservation area, lies to the south of the village, contributing to its historic landscape.

Newington’s village sign, installed in 2007, commemorates local heritage, while the village’s past is actively researched by the Newington History Group. The group organises heritage open days and history walks, inviting visitors to explore the village’s rich past.