St James' Church Cooling
St James' Church Cooling
St James' Church Cooling
4.5
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Traveller162014
Leeds, UK1 713 contributions
sept. 2022 • En famille
My grandparents took me here to see the gravestones that are believed to have inspired Dickens's opening description in Great Expectations. It is surrounded by lovely countryside and the church itself is very old and interesting. There are also very pleasant public toilets nearby.
Écrit le 7 septembre 2022
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
machinmad
Yaxley, UK2 650 contributions
nov. 2021 • En couple
A lovely rural church in the middle of this rural setting. We walked from here to the surrounding villages on a lovely sunny autumn day. The approach roads are narrow, so take care when traveling. The ruined castle in the hamlet obviously had a historic role protecting the area in ancient times.
Écrit le 6 novembre 2021
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Keenomanjaro
Croydon, UK179 contributions
sept. 2019
A landmark building on the Hoo Peninsula, this church is best known for it's connections to Charles Dickens, who took inspiration from his childhood visits here. The unusual graves of malaria victims which appear in the opening of Great Expectations, can be easily found close to the church entrance. Inside, there is a good deal of information about the church and Dickens, as well as some interesting internal features. Well done to the locals who keep this place open to the public.
Écrit le 7 octobre 2019
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Mark Benjamin L
Dubaï, Émirats arabes unis524 contributions
avr. 2019 • Entre amis
The churchyard of St James' has a cluster of 13 small grave ledgers which are memorials to the children of the Comport family who died in infancy from marsh ague - malaria - at the end of the 18th / beginning of the 19th Centuries . These are believed to give Charles Dickens the idea of siting Pip's first frightening meeting with Magwitch in this setting in the first chapter of Great Expectations . The churchyard setting is indeed bleak and windswept . The church itself is a gem - well looked after by the Church Conservation Society . A visit here is essential and wonderful.
Écrit le 16 avril 2019
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Krazy_Kayaker
Hertfordshire195 contributions
juin 2018 • Entre amis
Initially came here to look for a geo cache. But the information needed was restricted ended up buying cake instead! (Not that I'm complaining )
Inside the church was amazing. Shells on the walls. History.etc
Inside the church was amazing. Shells on the walls. History.etc
Écrit le 16 juin 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
john g
Hastings, UK123 contributions
juin 2018 • En couple
The charming village of Cooling is surrounded by fields; there is hardly any traffic on the small surrounding roads. It is a most relaxing place.
The first thing you see on approaching St James' tower is the group of 13 lozenge-shaped graves, called 'Pip's graves, although Dickens reduced the number in the book to 5 to make it more believable.
Inside are many points of interest:
- 13th century font carved with arcades on 3 sides; the fourth shows a cross surrounded by circles
- 2 sets of 14th century benches
- 14th century door hanging on its original hinges
- a 'squint' - hagioscope
- brass to Feyth Brook, d. 1508
- excellent east window by the Victorian designers Clayton and Bell
- sedilia (3 seats) and double 13th century piscina to wash the sacred vessels.
The first thing you see on approaching St James' tower is the group of 13 lozenge-shaped graves, called 'Pip's graves, although Dickens reduced the number in the book to 5 to make it more believable.
Inside are many points of interest:
- 13th century font carved with arcades on 3 sides; the fourth shows a cross surrounded by circles
- 2 sets of 14th century benches
- 14th century door hanging on its original hinges
- a 'squint' - hagioscope
- brass to Feyth Brook, d. 1508
- excellent east window by the Victorian designers Clayton and Bell
- sedilia (3 seats) and double 13th century piscina to wash the sacred vessels.
Écrit le 14 juin 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
wanderwoman43
Wheeling, IL70 contributions
mai 2018 • En solo
The locals have created a guide to the charms of this ancient little church. Teacher's guides and a small printed pamphlet detail everything from the baptismal font and ancient pews to the small bronze grave marker and the connection to Charles Dickens. A typical village to drive through, passing the Cooling Castle (privately owned) with views of the Thames.
Écrit le 12 mai 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
sabatinitennis
Ashford, UK3 730 contributions
sept. 2017 • En solo
This church takes a fair while to reach due to its location out on the Hoo peninsula. It has been in the care of the Church Conservation Trust since 1978 and dates from the 13th century.
Charles Dickens refers to the lozenge shaped graves near the entrance in Great Expectations .....but was it REALLY the site for the start of this book ...?? Hmm......the old church at Higham is a better guess ... because Dickens states there are five lozenge graves whereas in reality there are thirteen (count them) and the church at Higham leads out to the marshes along which Magwich made his way. Higham is closer to the river too than this church.
That aside, there is a smart little exhibition about the book at the rear of the church and some Dickens brochures available along with a good guide to the church for three pounds fifty pence.
Near the alter is a small room lined with cockle shells. Scallop shells are the emblem of St James to whom the church is dedicated.
Although the church was renovated in the 1870's and 1880's when a the interior of the nave and chancel were both restored, it was not given a severe makeover, although the dreaded Victorian floor tiles are in existence. There are two columns of wooden pews, a wooden pulpit, a wooden-panelled organ and a mixture of plain and coloured window glass.
Worth a visit and well-kept by the C.C.T., however loose the connection with Dickens maybe!!
Charles Dickens refers to the lozenge shaped graves near the entrance in Great Expectations .....but was it REALLY the site for the start of this book ...?? Hmm......the old church at Higham is a better guess ... because Dickens states there are five lozenge graves whereas in reality there are thirteen (count them) and the church at Higham leads out to the marshes along which Magwich made his way. Higham is closer to the river too than this church.
That aside, there is a smart little exhibition about the book at the rear of the church and some Dickens brochures available along with a good guide to the church for three pounds fifty pence.
Near the alter is a small room lined with cockle shells. Scallop shells are the emblem of St James to whom the church is dedicated.
Although the church was renovated in the 1870's and 1880's when a the interior of the nave and chancel were both restored, it was not given a severe makeover, although the dreaded Victorian floor tiles are in existence. There are two columns of wooden pews, a wooden pulpit, a wooden-panelled organ and a mixture of plain and coloured window glass.
Worth a visit and well-kept by the C.C.T., however loose the connection with Dickens maybe!!
Écrit le 8 septembre 2017
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Penny H
York, England, United Kingdom32 contributions
sept. 2015 • Entre amis
Standing in the churchyard in front of the row of lozenge-shaped graves mentioned in Great Expectations, is like travelling back in time. Inside the church you can see some very old pews dating back to medieval times, also a prayer cell whose wall is covered in cockle shells. Although not used regularly for services, the church is cared for by a team of volunteers. The nearby pub does very good meals so you could do both in one visit, plus look at Cooling Castle which is on the road as you approach the church. Only about a 15 min drive from Strood, well worth a visit on a fine day, especially if you have done a bit of history homework beforehand to appreciate what you're seeing.
Écrit le 19 septembre 2015
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
MrAndrewHaynes
Londres, UK400 contributions
févr. 2014 • En couple
The beautiful and ancient Church of St James, which is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, is well worth a visit in its own right, but it also has strong connections with Charles Dickens.
While heading for the south door entrance, look out for “Pip’s Graves” — the tiny gravestones of 13 babies, in two rows. At the beginning of Great Expectations, Pip describes a gravesite with “five little stone lozenges each about a foot and a half long, which were arranged in a neat row beside their [parents’’graves". Dickens reduced the number to five because he thought no reader would believe 13.
Next to these graves is a flat-topped tomb on which Dickens would lay out the food when visiting the graveyard for a family picnic.
Inside, the church is surprisingly spacious and light. Opposite the entrance, in front of a blocked north doorway, is a 500-year-old timber door that still swings on its ancient hinges. Another unusual feature is the small 19th-century vestry, with its walls completely lined with thousands of cockle shells (the emblem of St James).
Before getting back into your car, walk 100 yards west down the road to look at the magnificent gateway and remaining walls of the 14th century Cooling Castle (which is in private hands).
While heading for the south door entrance, look out for “Pip’s Graves” — the tiny gravestones of 13 babies, in two rows. At the beginning of Great Expectations, Pip describes a gravesite with “five little stone lozenges each about a foot and a half long, which were arranged in a neat row beside their [parents’’graves". Dickens reduced the number to five because he thought no reader would believe 13.
Next to these graves is a flat-topped tomb on which Dickens would lay out the food when visiting the graveyard for a family picnic.
Inside, the church is surprisingly spacious and light. Opposite the entrance, in front of a blocked north doorway, is a 500-year-old timber door that still swings on its ancient hinges. Another unusual feature is the small 19th-century vestry, with its walls completely lined with thousands of cockle shells (the emblem of St James).
Before getting back into your car, walk 100 yards west down the road to look at the magnificent gateway and remaining walls of the 14th century Cooling Castle (which is in private hands).
Écrit le 1 mars 2014
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
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