SPAB Kent & Surrey Group Visit to the Old House Project

Event details

Members of the SPAB Kent & Surrey Group are invited to join us at the Old House Project to learn about the extensive repairs being carried out on this characterful medieval building.  You will be given a guided tour by project manager Jonny Garlick (SPAB Special Ops Manager), who will be happy to answer any of your questions about the OHP, its history and the ongoing work being done by contractors, Owlsworth IJP, and the SPAB.

Visitors will be welcomed at the entrance to the site at 10.00 and the open day will last no more than 3 hours.  Spaces are limited, and we reserve the right to cancel if we have fewer than 3 people registered.  In the unlikely event that we have to cancel, you will be informed at least 24-hours in advance.

If you book a place and are then unable to attend, please do let us know so we can make the slot available for someone else.  

Practical Information

Please note that this is a working site. Hands-on work will be in progress throughout the day and all visitors will need to take care as they tour the site. Please wear sturdy footwear and suitable clothing.

The ground is uneven in places and seating will be limited. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of the site: education@spab.org.uk

Limited parking is available nearby. The closest train stations are in Maidstone, about 10 minutes away by taxi.

This is a working site with no catering available.  Please bring along a bottle of water, a flask of tea or anything else you’d like to eat or drink.

There is a portaloo on site.

About St Andrew's (former) Chapel

St Andrew's (former) Chapel is a fascinating building just within the abbey's outer precinct which was purchased by the SPAB at the end of 2018. Although the role and history of this structure are still being explored by the Society, it seems to date from the 15th century and to have been built as a reliquary chapel. We hope to uncover some of this building's secrets as part of the working party and to get volunteers involved with our larger Old House Project, which is based at St Andrew's. 

About Boxley Abbey

Boxley Abbey is a former monastic site near Maidstone in Kent. A remarkable survival, it is one of the most complete of the group of Cistercian abbeys which were established as daughter houses by larger monasteries. Above-ground remains include fragments of the church and cloister, the high stone wall and gateway surrounding a 23-acre inner precinct, and the intact 200ft-long ‘hospitium’. The whole inner precinct, aside from the Abbey House and its garden walls, is a scheduled ancient monument. 

Multiple bookings
As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. 

About the Kent & Surrey Regional Group

The group has run continuously since its foundation in 1994, making it the longest continuously running SPAB Regional Group. Events include visits to buildings undergoing conservation and repair projects to allow members to see conservation in action, buildings and landscapes of historical and architectural interest, and visits to some of south east England’s most significant buildings including behind the scenes tours of Cathedrals, Royal Palaces and major military fortifications.

In recent years visits have included: tours of Rochester, Canterbury, Chichester and St Paul’s cathedrals; the Tower of London; and behind the scenes of Dover castle, the Western Heights Fortifications and a number of National Trust Properties.

We also aim to gain access to privately-owned houses each year, allowing members unique opportunities to see buildings not open to the public. Numbers vary on visits from 10 participants for specialist events to over 50 people on town tours, and we try to ensure everybody gets something when visits are oversubscribed.

We also aim to ensure the events are both informative and friendly with refreshments included if possible, so members can spend time getting to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the Group Organiser before booking to discuss any special access requirements.

Image credit: Daniel Bridge