St John the Baptist

Though very close to Tunbridge Wells, Speldhurst has a pleasing village like feel and the Victorian gothic church fits in well.

Old Soar Manor is situated in a remote position in the Kent countryside near Ightham, on the edge of the North Downs. This rare survival of 13th century domestic architecture gives an illuminating impression of the life of a rich medieval family. The manor belonged to the Culpeppers, a leading Kentish family in the Middle Ages who were major landowners.

The small church is an attractive building of 12th and 15th century work with alterations and additions occurring in the 13th and 14th centuries. Although the open trussed roofs are of early date the wooden spire clad with shingles is of recent date replacing the original after a fire in 1946.