✅ If you haven’t already, please LIKE 👍 SUBSCRIBE 🔔️️️ COMMENT 💬 SHARE ↗️
My first autumn walk of 2023, and I could not have picked a better day weather-wise.
In this video, I walk the section of the Darent Valley Path from Shoreham to Otford. While in Otford I take the time to visit St Bartholomew's Church Graveyard, Otford (Grade 2 listed) duck pond, and the Archbishop’s Palace.
THE ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE:
The site of the Archbishop’s Palace in Otford, Kent, dates back to 821 AD, but it was in 1515 AD that Archbishop Warham built one of the largest palaces in England, comparable in size to Hampton Court.
To put things into perspective, the Archbishop of Canterbury is the highest-ranking non-royal in the United Kingdom.
This vast estate was taken over by King Henry VIII in 1537. By 1600, its splendours waned due to Queen Elizabeth I’s refusal to spend money on repairs, subsequently Otford Palace faded from the national scene after eight hundred years of prominence.
Now all that remains is the North West corner tower, part of the Northern Gatehouse, and the connecting wall which has been turned into a row of three small cottages. The remains that you see today were built on top of a succession of medieval manor houses and a Roman Villa.
OTFORD DUCK POND:
Renowned home of the Otford ducks whose ventures across the road often bring traffic to a halt. The scenic importance of this part of the Village Centre has been officially recognised by scheduling the pond as a Grade II listed building – the only listed Duckpond in the country.
Subscribing to my YouTube channel not only helps my channel grow but also encourages and motivates me to get out and about and add more content.
If you have any questions about the route or an area I am walking, kayaking, or camping in? Why not get in touch via Facebook!
