A little history of Fordwich

Fordwich, Kent

Fordwich, located on the River Stour in Kent, England, is the smallest town in Britain by population, with just 372 residents as of 2021. Its name, derived from Old English, means 'trading settlement at the ford'. First recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book, Fordwich served as a port for Canterbury, handling goods such as the Caen stone used in the cathedral's reconstruction.

In 1184, King Henry II granted Fordwich a Merchant Guild Charter, elevating its status. The town hall, built in 1544, has been the meeting place for the town council for nearly 500 years. The building also housed the town jail, and visitors can enjoy its delights such as a very hard bed and the hatch through which food was pushed.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, constructed around 1070, is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. Inside, the Fordwich Stone, a 12th-century carved sarcophagus, is believed to have once contained the remains of St Augustine of Canterbury.

Today, Fordwich remains a quiet town, preserving its rich history and heritage.