Exploring St Radigund’s Abbey & St John’s Commandery | Forgotten Kent Ruins

In this episode of Tudor Travels, I explore two remarkable, hidden medieval estates tucked away in the countryside of East Kent: St Radigund’s Abbey and St John’s Commandery (Swingfield Preceptory). Beginning in the Coombe Valley near Dover, we look at the imposing 13th-century flint ruins and gatehouse tower of St Radigund’s Abbey (also known as Bradsole Abbey). Founded in 1191 for the Premonstratensians, or "White Canons", this remote site survived through centuries of monastic life before being suppressed during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538. From there, I travel just a few miles down quiet country lanes to St John’s Commandery in Swingfield. Under the care of English Heritage, this rare surviving 13th-century flint chapel and hall once belonged to the Knights Hospitaller (Order of St John of Jerusalem). I trace how these chivalric medieval orders managed vast agricultural lands across Kent, and how both structures eventually morphed into quiet Post-Reformation farmhouses. Join me for a scenic walk through the history, architecture, and quiet atmosphere of Kent’s forgotten religious past. 📍 Locations Visited: • St Radigund’s Abbey, Dover, Kent (Bradsole) • St John’s Commandery (Swingfield Preceptory), Swingfield, Kent 🎥 Subscribe to @tudor_travels for more historical walks, hidden UK heritage, and architectural deep-dives. #KentHistory #EnglishHeritage #MonasteryRuins #KnightsHospitaller #HistoryWalks #TudorTravels #Dover #EastKent -- Donations: If you enjoy my content on YouTube and would like to support my work, please do consider buying me a 'coffee' through the link below. Alternatively, alternative donations can be sent via PayPal are also used to create future videos. Patreon:   / tudorsmith   PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tudor... Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tudorsmith This will help me continue to create and improve this content for you! Thanks so much for the support. -- My other YouTube Channels Tudor Smith Photography:    / @tudorsmithphotography   Tudor Smith:    / @tudorsmith   Tudor Travels:    / @tudor_travels   Drive With Care:    / @drivewithcare_uk