Cheriton, Kent
Encyclopedia
Cheriton is a northern suburb of Folkestone
in Kent
that is the location of the English
terminal of the Channel Tunnel
. It is the location of the major army barracks of Shorncliffe Camp.
meet the Straits of Dover has been of strategic importance since ancient times. Portus Lemanis
was a major Roman harbour, overlooked by a fort near where Lympne Castle
now stands. The Normans built Folkestone Castle
on a spur of Cheriton Hill
. The church of St Martin dates back to Saxon times and the name Cheriton means "Church Farm".
The British government purchased a large piece of land at Shorncliffe in 1794 and fortified it in preparation for the expected French invasion. Shorncliffe Redoubt
is significant as the birthplace of modern infantry tactics. A Royal Commission was set up in 1859
during another invasion panic, which led to the construction of the Palmerston Forts
and a large army barracks
at Shorncliffe. Sir John Moore Barracks, Napier Barracks and Risbourgh Barracks together make up Shorncliffe Camp.
The Army presence led to a dramatic growth of Cheriton in the second half of the 19th century. This led to the distinction being lost between Cheriton and Folkestone
, whose expansion was funnelled westward by the escarpment of the Downs.
Construction of the Channel Tunnel
began in 1988 and it opened in 1994. The passenger terminal is wedged between the Downs and the M20 motorway
just west of Castle Hill, and freight trains are marshalled at Dollands Moor Freight Yard
further west.
in its own right, and part of Elham Rural District from 1894 to 1898, when it became a separate urban district
. This was abolished in 1934 under a County Review Order
, and divided between Folkestone
and Hythe
.
, between Cheriton Hill
on the landward side and Sandgate Hill going down to the sea. The Folkestone Downs are the southern end of the North Downs
, a low range of chalk hills running from London to the White Cliffs of Dover
. The Seabrook
Stream flows through the west of the district, cutting a scenic valley between Dibgate Camp and St Martin's Plain
.
occupy Shorncliffe Camp so Nepali people
make up a large part of the population.
bought the garrison church in 2001 and converted it into the Tower Theatre. There is a branch library in the High Street.
overlooks Cheriton from the Downs north of the Channel Tunnel terminal. The earthworks of Folkestone Castle
are just to the east.
on the South Eastern Main Line served the village between 1908 and 1947. It was just east of the bridge on Risborough Lane. The Elham Valley Way is a long-distance path that runs between Cheriton and Sandgate on its way up to Canterbury.
is one of the main secondary schools in Shepway
.
and now serves Shorncliffe Camp.
All Souls church was built in response to the population growth of the late 19th century. The old parish was split along the railway embankment, with the parish of Cheriton Street being formed north of the line. A farmer's widow, Mrs Thompson, died in 1887 leaving a plot of land on the High Street and a bequest of £10,000 for the construction of a church. All Souls was designed by Ewan Christian
and consecrated on 3 January 1895.
St. Nicholas is a small rural church in the outlying village of Newington
. The barracks had the largest garrison
church in Britain but in 2001 it was sold for conversion into a theatre (see above). The three active churches are served by Revd Hilary Jones, who lives in St Martin's Rectory, Horn Street.
Cheriton Baptist Church is just along the High Street from All Souls. St Joseph's Catholic Church is between the two, on Ashley Avenue.
first played cricket against Sussex
on the Sandgate Hill Ground
in 1862, but the last match recorded there was in 1870. Its location is uncertain, but it was probably lost to the housing developments east of where Folkestone School for Girls
and Sandgate Primary School
are today.
(c.1185 – 1246/47) was a preacher and fabulist who in 1233 inherited land in Cheriton, Rochester and elsewhere from his father, William of Cheriton. Samuel Plimsoll
, the man who gave his name to the Plimsoll line used to indicate the limit of a ship's load, is buried in St Martin's churchyard.
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
that is the location of the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
terminal of the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
. It is the location of the major army barracks of Shorncliffe Camp.
History
The coastal plain where the North DownsNorth Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
meet the Straits of Dover has been of strategic importance since ancient times. Portus Lemanis
Portus Lemanis
Portus Lemanis was the name of an ancient Roman fort, settlement and port in southern Kent. The modern village of Lympne derives its name from the ancient port.-History:...
was a major Roman harbour, overlooked by a fort near where Lympne Castle
Lympne Castle
Lympne Castle is a mediaeval castle near the village of Lympne, Kent, above Romney Marsh.Today, it is used primarily as a venue for corporate events and weddings. It is generally not open to the public. The Estate Manager is Rod Aspinall....
now stands. The Normans built Folkestone Castle
Folkestone Castle
Folkestone Castle stood on a spur of the North Downs to the north of the town of Folkestone, Kent .This was Norman castle on a natural mound which was in existence in the late 11th and 12th centuries...
on a spur of Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill is a hill near Folkestone in the south-east corner of the English county of Kent, overlooking the English Channel. The relatively low-lying hill is covered with farmland, villages, narrow lanes, and footpaths...
. The church of St Martin dates back to Saxon times and the name Cheriton means "Church Farm".
The British government purchased a large piece of land at Shorncliffe in 1794 and fortified it in preparation for the expected French invasion. Shorncliffe Redoubt
Shorncliffe Redoubt
Shorncliffe Redoubt is a British Napoleonic earthwork fort of great historic importance, as it is the birthplace of modern light infantry tactics...
is significant as the birthplace of modern infantry tactics. A Royal Commission was set up in 1859
Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
In 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
during another invasion panic, which led to the construction of the Palmerston Forts
Palmerston Forts
The Palmerston Forts are a group of forts and associated structures, around the coast of Britain.The forts were built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, following concerns about the strength of the French Navy, and...
and a large army barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
at Shorncliffe. Sir John Moore Barracks, Napier Barracks and Risbourgh Barracks together make up Shorncliffe Camp.
The Army presence led to a dramatic growth of Cheriton in the second half of the 19th century. This led to the distinction being lost between Cheriton and Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
, whose expansion was funnelled westward by the escarpment of the Downs.
Construction of the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
began in 1988 and it opened in 1994. The passenger terminal is wedged between the Downs and the M20 motorway
M20 motorway
The M20 is a motorway in Kent, England. It runs from the M25 motorway to Folkestone, providing a link to the Channel Tunnel and the ports at Dover. It is long...
just west of Castle Hill, and freight trains are marshalled at Dollands Moor Freight Yard
Dollands Moor Freight Yard
Dollands Moor Freight Yard is a railway freight yard near Folkestone in Kent, and was purposely built in 1988 for the Channel Tunnel. It is to the west of the Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal, and just to the south of the M20 Motorway.- External links :*...
further west.
Government
Cheriton was a civil parishCivil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in its own right, and part of Elham Rural District from 1894 to 1898, when it became a separate urban district
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
. This was abolished in 1934 under a County Review Order
Local Government Act 1929
The Local Government Act 1929 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that made changes to the Poor Law and local government in England and Wales....
, and divided between Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
and Hythe
Hythe, Kent
Hythe , is a small coastal market town on the edge of Romney Marsh, in the District of Shepway on the south coast of Kent. The word Hythe or Hithe is an Old English word meaning Haven or Landing Place....
.
Geography
Cheriton sits on a level shelf halfway up the escarpment of Folkestone DownsFolkestone Downs
The Folkestone Downs are an area of chalk downland above Folkestone, where the eastern end of the North Downs escarpment meets the English Channel...
, between Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill
Cheriton Hill is a hill near Folkestone in the south-east corner of the English county of Kent, overlooking the English Channel. The relatively low-lying hill is covered with farmland, villages, narrow lanes, and footpaths...
on the landward side and Sandgate Hill going down to the sea. The Folkestone Downs are the southern end of the North Downs
North Downs
The North Downs are a ridge of chalk hills in south east England that stretch from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. The North Downs lie within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty , the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs...
, a low range of chalk hills running from London to the White Cliffs of Dover
White cliffs of Dover
The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs which form part of the British coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. The cliffs are part of the North Downs formation. The cliff face, which reaches up to , owes its striking façade to its composition of chalk accentuated by streaks of black flint...
. The Seabrook
Seabrook, Kent
Seabrook is a small coastal village in Kent, England. The village lies in-between Sandgate and Hythe. The Royal Military Canal starts here. There is a Church of England Primary School and a local pub "The Fountain"...
Stream flows through the west of the district, cutting a scenic valley between Dibgate Camp and St Martin's Plain
St Martin's Plain
The area known as St Martin's Plain is located to the west of Cheriton, part of Folkestone, Kent, England. It is used by the British Army from Shorncliffe Camp for training; during wartime, and especially during World War I and World War II temporary camps were built here. A German prisoner-of-war...
.
Demography
The population in 1851 was 1,658, which by 1861 had grown to 7,434 – of whom 4,204 were military in Shorncliffe Camp. the Royal Gurkha RiflesRoyal Gurkha Rifles
The Royal Gurkha Rifles is a regiment of the British Army, forming part of the Brigade of Gurkhas. The Royal Gurkha Rifles are now the sole infantry regiment of the British Army Gurkhas...
occupy Shorncliffe Camp so Nepali people
Nepali people
Nepali people can refer to:*People of Nepal*Ethnic Nepalis of Indian citizenry residing in Gorkhaland area of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and other parts of India.* Indian Gorkhas*Lhotshampas of Bhutan.*Nepali diaspora the world over....
make up a large part of the population.
Culture and community
The Folkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic SocietyFolkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society
Folkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society, FHODS, is a charitable organization that holds performances and events at its theatre in Shorncliffe, the Tower Theatre...
bought the garrison church in 2001 and converted it into the Tower Theatre. There is a branch library in the High Street.
Landmarks
The Folkestone White HorseFolkestone White Horse
The Folkestone White Horse is a white horse hill figure, carved into Cheriton Hill, Folkestone, Kent, South East England. It overlooks the English terminal of the Channel Tunnel and was completed in June 2003....
overlooks Cheriton from the Downs north of the Channel Tunnel terminal. The earthworks of Folkestone Castle
Folkestone Castle
Folkestone Castle stood on a spur of the North Downs to the north of the town of Folkestone, Kent .This was Norman castle on a natural mound which was in existence in the late 11th and 12th centuries...
are just to the east.
Transport
Cheriton Halt railway stationCheriton Halt railway station
Cheriton Halt is a disused railway station on the South Eastern Main Line which served the village of Cheriton on the outskirts of Folkestone in Kent, England. The station opened in 1908 and closed in 1947.- History :...
on the South Eastern Main Line served the village between 1908 and 1947. It was just east of the bridge on Risborough Lane. The Elham Valley Way is a long-distance path that runs between Cheriton and Sandgate on its way up to Canterbury.
Education
Pent Valley Technology CollegePent Valley Technology College
Pent Valley Technology College is a secondary school situated in Cheriton, Kent. The college, which was formed by the merger of Harcourt Secondary School for Girls and Morehall Secondary School for Boys in the early 1970s, attracts pupils from Folkestone, Hawkinge and Hythe.The school was granted...
is one of the main secondary schools in Shepway
Shepway
Shepway is a local government district in Kent, England. It includes the towns of Folkestone and Hythe and the Romney Marsh. It is named after the Jutish lathe of Shepway; the Royal Court of Shepway, which met near Lympne at a place called Shepway Cross, was the principal court of the Cinque Ports...
.
Religious sites
There were four churches in the Benefice of Cheriton, which comes under the Deanery of Elham. The church of St Martin is very ancient, the base of the thirteenth-century tower may have been a Saxon porch. The decorative arcading in the chancel is made of Bethersden marble and is very finely carved. The church gives its name to the military training area of St Martin's PlainSt Martin's Plain
The area known as St Martin's Plain is located to the west of Cheriton, part of Folkestone, Kent, England. It is used by the British Army from Shorncliffe Camp for training; during wartime, and especially during World War I and World War II temporary camps were built here. A German prisoner-of-war...
and now serves Shorncliffe Camp.
All Souls church was built in response to the population growth of the late 19th century. The old parish was split along the railway embankment, with the parish of Cheriton Street being formed north of the line. A farmer's widow, Mrs Thompson, died in 1887 leaving a plot of land on the High Street and a bequest of £10,000 for the construction of a church. All Souls was designed by Ewan Christian
Ewan Christian
Ewan Christian was a British architect. He is most notable for the restoration of Carlisle Cathedral, the alterations to Christ Church, Spitalfields in 1866, and the extension to the National Gallery that created the National Portrait Gallery. He was architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners...
and consecrated on 3 January 1895.
St. Nicholas is a small rural church in the outlying village of Newington
Newington, Shepway
Newington is a village in Kent, England one mile west-north-west of Folkestone. It gives its name to Newington-Shepway Parish Council, which has five councillors, and includes the hamlets of Arpinge and Beachborough...
. The barracks had the largest garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
church in Britain but in 2001 it was sold for conversion into a theatre (see above). The three active churches are served by Revd Hilary Jones, who lives in St Martin's Rectory, Horn Street.
Cheriton Baptist Church is just along the High Street from All Souls. St Joseph's Catholic Church is between the two, on Ashley Avenue.
Sport
Cheriton Bowls Club has a 6-rink green on Weymouth Road. KentKent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
first played cricket against Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
on the Sandgate Hill Ground
Sandgate Hill Ground
Sandgate Hill Ground was a cricket ground in Sandgate, Kent. The first recorded match on the ground was in 1862, when Kent played Sussex in the grounds first first-class match...
in 1862, but the last match recorded there was in 1870. Its location is uncertain, but it was probably lost to the housing developments east of where Folkestone School for Girls
Folkestone School for Girls
Folkestone School for Girls is an all-girls grammar school in Folkestone, Kent. It is located next to Sandgate Primary School on Coolinge Lane. It has good reports from OFSTED, and excellent grades from the pupils. There is a crosskeys bus that takes girls to the top of the hill.-History:It...
and Sandgate Primary School
Sandgate Primary School
Sandgate Primary School is located between the Folkestone School for Girls and Eversley College in Sandgate, Kent. The old school building is located in the village on Sandgate Road and is up for sale. The modern building lies on Coolinge Lane and has extensive recreational grounds...
are today.
Notable people
Odo of CheritonOdo of Cheriton
Odo of Cheriton was a Roman Catholic preacher and fabulist.He visited Paris, and it was probably there that he gained the degree of Master...
(c.1185 – 1246/47) was a preacher and fabulist who in 1233 inherited land in Cheriton, Rochester and elsewhere from his father, William of Cheriton. Samuel Plimsoll
Samuel Plimsoll
Samuel Plimsoll was a British politician and social reformer, now best remembered for having devised the Plimsoll line .-Early life:Plimsoll was born in Bristol and soon moved to Whiteley Wood...
, the man who gave his name to the Plimsoll line used to indicate the limit of a ship's load, is buried in St Martin's churchyard.
See also
- Cheriton RoadCheriton RoadCheriton Road is a football stadium in Folkestone, Kent, England, which serves as the home ground of Folkestone Invicta. Full capacity is around 6,500....
is a nearby football stadium that is the home ground of Folkestone Invicta