Mereworth | |
---|---|
Location within
Kent | |
Population | 1,068 (2011 Census) [1] |
OS grid reference | TQ660537 |
Civil parish |
|
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | Maidstone |
Postcode district | ME18 |
Police | Kent |
Fire | Kent |
Ambulance | South East Coast |
UK Parliament | |
Mereworth ( /ˈmɛriwɜːrθ/ MERRY-worth) [2] is a village and civil parish near the town of Maidstone in Kent, England. The Wateringbury Stream flows through the village and powered a watermill, the site of which now lies within the grounds of Mereworth Castle.
In the early 18th century the Honourable John Fane – later 7th Earl of Westmoreland – inherited the manor. He had the Palladian mansion built. Designed by Colen Campbell, Mereworth Castle then overlooked the village, so Fane had the village moved so that it couldn't be seen from the estate, about 1⁄2 mile (800 m) to the north west of its original location. He also demolished the church, providing the villagers with a new Palladian-style replacement, now dedicated to St Lawrence. Mereworth Church is a Grade I listed building. [3]
Media related to Mereworth at Wikimedia Commons