Located in the county of Kent, and around eight miles west of Canterbury, is the town of Faversham.

Geographically, Faversham is situated adjacent to the Roman road known as Watling Street, and near the head of Faversham Creek - a tidal waterway connecting to the sea. The Romans established a settlement in this vicinity known as Durolevum, believed to be the precursor to the neighbouring village of Ospringe.

In 1147 Faversham Abbey was founded by King Stephen and his wife Matilda of Boulogne. This Benedictine abbey was destroyed in 1538 in accordance with Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. Its existence is still reflected in the street names Abbey Street and Abbey Road featured towards the end of the walk.

At the heart of the town is the Church of St Mary of Charity. This dates back to around the 12th century, although is mainly comprised of elements from the 14th and 15th centuries, and also features a distinctive octagonal crown spire from the 18th century.

In 1252 Faversham was granted its first royal charter by Henry III, giving it the right to a weekly market. Historic industries associated with the town include gunpowder production, shipping, via Faversham Creek and brewing. In 1698 Richard Marsh acquired a brewery in Faversham. This was passed to his descendants upon his death, and was later sold to a malt brewer named Samuel Shepherd in the 18th century. In 1864 Percy Beale Neame married into the Shepherd family, and the brewery was branded as Shepherd Neame. To this day it is one of the largest independent breweries in Britain, as well as being its oldest.

In 1858 the railway arrived in Faversham courtesy of the East Kent Railway, shortly before becoming the London, Chatham and Dover Railway in the following year. Today, the station is situated on the Chatham Main Line which connects to London to the west and Ramsgate and Dover to the east, with its station being the point at which the line branches eastwards. In addition to the regular trains, high speed trains to and from London St Pancras call at Faversham, taking just over an hour.

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Filmed: 11th July 2024

Link to the walk on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/R1op8nW5RFFqy...

Filmed on a Sony FDR-AX700 with a Zhiyun Crane 2 and a Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Preston Street
4:38 East Street
6:07 Market Street
6:40 Market Place
7:12 West Street
17:46 Market Place
18:55 Court Street
19:59 Middle Row
21:14 Market Place
22:15 Court Street
25:26 Church Street
27:30 Abbey Street
32:59 Abbey Road
33:55 Standard Quay