Bayham Old Abbey

Established in 1207, Bayham, a Premonstratensian abbey was created from two floundering monastic sites at Otham and Brockley. It was built from local sandstone and being right on the border between Kent and Sussex, Bayham had a gate in each county. Bayham Abbey was one of the first to suffer during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and Henry VIII allowed Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montagu (29 November 1528 – 19 October 1592) to rent the site afterwards. Queen Elizabeth I sold Bayham when she came to power and eventually it was bought by Sir John Pratt in 1714. It remained with Sir John’s descendents until 1961 when it was given to English Heritage.

The ruins of this abbey are haunted by a group of white monks, chanting and the ringing of bells has been heard, and sometimes the fragrance of incense has been noticed.