Curious Kent
We all remember an amusing story, or the thing we come across for the first time. Kent is full of unusual buildings and stories and this lecture introduces a selection of them.
We learn about classical houses, follies, secret passages and eccentric men. Some of the subjects are well known, but the lecture will also introduce you to some little-known places and stimulate further research.
Margate’s Shell Grotto, Hadlow Tower, Cobham Mausoleum and stained glass at Appledore are all covered in this unusual and amusing presentation.
John Vigar is the author of several books on Kent history. He was personally encouraged early in his career by John Betjeman and is a Trustee of a national charity of which Betjeman was a founder. He is an architectural historian by profession, specialising in ecclesiastical architecture teaching at several universities and colleges and until his retirement he worked for The Churches Conservation Trust.
He lectures extensively across Europe, and leads specialist off-beat historical tours in the south east.
Suggested reading:
Kent Curiosities by John Vigar
