Mini route four
The Path of St. Augustine’s Ride - 7km (4.5 miles)
St. Augustine was sent from Rome by Pope Gregory the Great to lead a missionary of 40 monks to England with the intention of reintroducing Christianity. He landed near Ebbsfleet in Thanet in 597AD. Retrace his steps and visit historical sites and new attractions along the route.
St. Augustine’s Cross, Ebbsfleet
St. Augustine landed at Ebbsfleet in Thanet in 597AD, on a mission to bring Christianity to Britain. This cross stands at the spot where, it is believed, Augustine first met King Ethelbert, whom he later converted to Christianity. The Celtic-style cross is almost seven metres (23 feet) high, and was erected in 1884 by Lord Granville, head of the Privy Council, and his committee.
Minster Abbey
Minster Abbey was the site of the first English monastery, founded in 670AD but destroyed by Vikings in the 9th century. Once rebuilt the Abbey was given by King Canute to the monks of St. Augustine’s Abbey, Canterbury in 1027AD. Forty years later William the Conqueror razed the Abbey to the ground during the Norman Conquest, but it was later re-established by the Benedictine Order. It is possibly the oldest inhabited house in England.
St. Mary the Virgin’s Church, Minster
St Mary’s was the first church in Thanet, built in 670AD and probably constructed from mud and twigs, although frequent rebuilding has given the church many historical features. The bell tower carries a peal of five bells, four of which date from the early 17th century, while the watchtower is from the 12th century. The nave has stood in its present form since about 1150AD, and Roman bricks have been incorporated into some of the church’s walls.
Monkton Nature Reserve
(This is a slight detour from the route onto the A253 at Monkton) Set in an abandoned chalk quarry, this 16-acre nature reserve is an important resource for the protection of rare orchids and other wild flowers, as well as birds and animals in the Thanet area. The site includes a bat cave and a pond, a collection of fossils retrieved on-site and in the surrounding area, and a dinosaur exhibition. There is also an observatory and astronomy room.
