Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Snodland
Snodland comes from the Old English ‘ing’ as a ‘connective particle, linking the first and final elements’ and ‘land’ meaning ‘land (as part of the earth’s surface, an estate’ combined with a warlord’s name; therefore, ‘cultivated land connected with Snodd’. The Domesday Book chronicles Snodland as Esnoiland.
Snodland parish church is a Grade: I listed building, dedicated to All Saints. The Normans built it in the 12th century with additions and extensions in the following three centuries, the most prominent being the addition of the tower in the 15th century. In 1589, Giles Reve cast and hung a bell. John Wilnar added a tenor in 1636, with Anthony Bartlett completed three in 1654. In 1798, Edward Hasted described the All Saints church as a ‘small mean building with a low pointed steeple’. In 1870, the English architect Sir Arthur William Blomfield carried out a heavy restoration. In 1873, Mears and Stainbank added two bells to make five. Alfred Bowell augmented the bells to six with a treble in 1920. Some of the medieval glass suffered damage in WWII.
Snodland railway station opened, on the South Eastern Railway’s North Kent Line Strood to Maidstone, on 18 June 1856…. more