Archaeological projects

The Heritage Conservation Group manages a number of archaeological projects designed to conserve or promote the historic environment of Kent.

Conservation programme at Thurnham Castle

Thurnham Castle is a medieval castle located on the North Downs. The site has remains of a flint gatehouse with two surviving curtain walls partially surrounding a flat area known as a bailey.

There is a large mound to the east with traces of possible flint towers on top and surrounded by a large ditch. The site is a scheduled monument but was considered to be "at risk" and was acquired by Kent County Council.

As part of the White Horse Millennium wood and country park project, the site has been gradually cleared of scrub and small trees exposing flint walls and further archaeological remains.

The complex has been archaeologically surveyed and the flint walls have been recorded and repaired.

Far more of the medieval remains survive than previously hoped and it is now possible to appreciate the historic and strategic importance of this site.

The project is supported financially by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Maidstone Borough Council and Thurnham Parish Council.

Historic Fortifications Network

The Historic Fortifications Network was created in 1997 as a partnership between 17 towns in Kent, Nord-Pas de Calais (France) and West Flanders (Belgium).

The towns are linked by both their history as fortified places and by their current desire to maximise their tourism, educational and heritage potential.

The network is co-ordinated by Kent County Council, the Syndicat Mixte de la Côte d'Opale and the Province of West Flanders and has been funded primarily by the partners themselves, English Heritage and the EU Interreg programme.

The network has published a number of leaflets and a guidebook, which can be ordered from the heritage conservation group.