KentSUTTONATHONEStJohnBaptist(EmmaYoungPERMISSIONBYEMAIL)1 EmmaYoung

St John the Baptist

Large 14th century church with Jacobean furnishings, set in semi-rural Kent with views towards the Thames and Canary Wharf.

Sutton at Hone, Kent

Opening times

The church is typically open at a minimum 10am to 12pm on Tuesdays and 12pm to 2pm on Wednesdays from March to November. However our open hours are reliant on volunteers, so if you are planning to come on a specific date, we recommend getting in touch to confirm access. The church can also be opened on request by contacting the vicar.

Address

Church Road
Sutton at Hone
Kent
DA4 9EX

The current church building was completed in 1335, at a time when Sutton at Hone was of substantial political significance as an administrative centre close to Dartford and the river Darent. Most of the building has a rugged flint finish was some areas of beautiful snapped flintwork, and a clay tile roof. There is a square tower at the west end with a distinctive round staircase.

The interior of the church is spacious, and the chancel in particular is full of natural light. The church is home to a wide range of historic monuments with detailed and wonderful epitaphs. The most impressive of the monuments is that to Sir Thomas Smythe, once held in the Tower of London by Elizabeth I, and first governor of the East India Company. But there is a wide range of interesting memorials.

The oldest wooden furniture in the church dates back to the reign of James I, when it was installed following a fire in the church which burnt away the roof and all existing furnishings. The Jacobean pulpit it still in use today.

The church is served by local footpaths making it an easy location from which to explore the local area.

St John's is always glad to welcome visitors, including dogs, to explore the church.
 

  • Captivating architecture

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café within 500m

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Parking within 250m

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Toast and Worship: After school service weekly on a Wednesday during term time.

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Mary

Greenhithe, Kent

St Mary is a Grade II listed church, built in 1856.

St Botolph

Lullingstone, Kent

Go through the Tudor gatehouse of Lullingstone Castle to see the 14th century flint church with 15th century rood screen and chapel and 18th century plaster ceilings with stained glass from the 14th to 18th centuries.