Coldred Trees
A lovely work-free day today... cold crisp sun and blue skies. Got out onto the lanes this morning while the light was good, and shot some pictures in Coldred – a lovely little village a few miles outside Dover.
The village has quite a rich history shrouded in some mystery. The name itself has multiple possible origins. One theory suggests it derives from Old English words meaning "clearing where coal is found," while another, based on local lore, attributes it to King Ceolred of Mercia who supposedly visited the area in 715 AD.
Early traces of human presence come from Roman activity, though documented evidence for this period remains sparse. Local tradition suggests a battle between King Ceolred and King Ina of Wessex might have taken place nearby in the same year. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, the manor of Coldred belonged to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, but later returned to the crown. Ownership of the manor then changed hands several times throughout history, including stints under The Hospital of St Mary and King Henry VIII.
An intriguing discovery in the early 1800s was a well of unknown origin and purpose. Theories suggest it could be Roman or medieval. The 20th century saw the short-lived operation of the Guildford Colliery near Coldred, functioning from 1906 to 1921. Finally, in 1963, the parish of Coldred merged with Sibertswold to form the present-day Shepherdswell with Coldred.
Several key landmarks stand as testaments to Coldred's past. St Pancras' Church, a Grade I listed building, is believed to have Saxon origins with later modifications. It houses one of the oldest bells in Kent. Another notable structure is the Grade II listed Coldred Court Farmhouse, a 15th-century timber-framed building encased in 17th-century red brick. Finally, the Ringwork and Bailey, a Scheduled Monument, is an earthwork fortification likely dating back to the Anglo-Saxon or Norman period. It's worth noting that historians debate the exact dating and origin of some aspects of Coldred's history, including the ringwork and the well, adding to the village's intriguing mystique.
