Pilsdon Barn
Address
27 Water Lane, West Malling, ME19 6HH
Parking
There is NO car parking at Pilsdon Barn. There are a number of free parking spaces on St Leonard’s Street and Water Lane. On-street parking in the High Street is limited to four hours and is now metered. There is a large public car park behind Tesco’s in the High Street with metered parking limited to four hours between 8.30am and 5.30pm.
The Ryarsh Lane car park is free on Mondays to Fridays after 3pm. Parking charges apply at weekends between 8am and 8pm with parking limited to 4 hours.
A little further afield there is additional parking in Manor Park Country Park and at West Malling Railway Station.
Access and Toilets
Access to the Barn is level from Water Lane then up a fairly steep ramp into the Barn. Toilets are in a log cabin via an uneven grassy path and steps. Disabled access to the toilets is via an uneven path behind the scriptorium and a ramp. Please do ask our stewards for assistance.
History
For centuries this ancient timber and stone building has stood within the precinct of West Malling Abbey. It has been witness to tumultuous times of upheaval and treason. Our own century has not been uneventful and yet the building known locally as the Tithe Barn survives intact.
In 1066 William of Normandy acquired the throne by conquest. He appointed the famous architect Gundulf as Bishop of Rochester. Work on building St Mary’s abbey, St Leonard’s Tower and a small building nearby started in West Malling. By 1080 it is thought work was complete and the First Abbess named Avicia was appointed. The abbey prospered despite plague and fire: it became one of the wealthiest in England owning many premises in the growing town.
Between 1536 and 1541 King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries confiscating their wealth. The nuns of Malling resisted bravely to the last. After various tenancies Queen Elizabeth I awarded Malling Abbey and lands to the Brooke family of Cobham. In 1603, English Courtiers plotted to depose King James I: the Brookes were ringleaders with Sir Walter Rayleigh. Sir George Brooke was executed and his brother Lord Cobham imprisoned in the Tower of London as was Sir Walter Rayleigh. Malling Abbey was confiscated and granted to the Brett family by James I. On the extinction of the Brett Family the Abbey and lands were granted to Sir John Rayney and the grant was later confirmed by King Charles II.
In the 19th Century, The Abbey came again into ecclesiastical hands and re-established as an abbey and monastery. Nowadays, the Tithe barn is home to the Pilsdon community and their fine work.
