St. Nicholas Churchyard

Churchyard notes

(originally written by Reverend John Green M.A.) 

It has the second highest point in Sandhurst, Downgate being the highest, and has magnificent views: 

• On the north-east – across to the main village 
• On the south-east – up the Rother Valley 
• On the south-west – into East Sussex and Bodiam 

The line of the old Roman road from Rochester to Hastings lies 100 metres to the west.

The older, inner burial ground is bordered by towering limes, undamaged by the 1987 “Great Storm” and has within it 7 yews, as per tradition.

Notice also:

• The old, listed, mounting block near the entrance
• The Bucknall family vault (‘B’ on the plan) 
• The fine lettering on the headstone of Countess Maukowska  
• The graves of Dr. Vincent Nesfield, who healed with his Bible beside him, and of Mr Roland Pertwee, author and playwright  
• The six well maintained Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones, including that of volunteer R D Maule, motorcyclist of the Kent Home Guard. 

Like most country churchyards it is a haven for wildlife, and it is managed sympathetically: 

• Wild flowers, grasses and nettles can grow, in some areas 
• The south-west boundary is the line of a regular patrol by foxes 
• Rabbits are plentiful on the southern embankment 
• Swallows and thrushes have nested in the porch. Kestrels are regular visitors as too, more recently Buzzards 
• At dusk a Tawny Owl often calls from the limes
• Orange-tips, Common Blues, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Speckled Woods are among the butterflies seen.
• In the summer bees are frequent visitors, from nearby hives
• There are also bats within the church but not in the belfry!
• Winter sees the hibernation of many ladybirds within the church building itself.
• There are many species of mosses and lichens living on the gravestones and fences 

The churchyard has won several awards for its conservation and management. 

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Commonwealth War Graves

There are six Commonwealth War Graves within the grounds of St. Nicholas’ Churchyard. They are maintained with the help of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

• Ealden, A In South East corner
• Mann, H North West of Church
• Martin, W W South West of Church
• Maule, R D South West of Tower
• Moore, H G North of North porch
• Phipps, L U E North West of Church

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Individual listed monuments

There are six Grade II Listed monuments within the grounds of St. Nicholas’s Churchyard. Further information can be gained from the Historic England website

• Ward Monument approx 7 metre west of west Tower
• Monument to Howard Ward app 6 metres west of west Tower
• Ward Monument approx 2 metres north east of north Porch
• Mounting Block to North of St Nicholas Church
• Monument to Mary Collins Approx 5 metres south of West Tower
• Monument approx 1 metre south Monument to Mary Collins

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Churchyard Regulations

You will have read the notes about the wildlife that can be found in our churchyard and if you are able to visit, you will see for yourself the magnificent views in all directions.

Our churchyard is a place of peace and tranquillity, a place to sit or stroll. A place to remember our loved ones.

The churchyard is loved and cared for by volunteers and we have a policy to let some grass areas grow at certain times of the year before being mowed. Other areas, particularly around the current graves are mowed or strimmed and the grass kept shorter.

As a rural parish churchyard, we also have a policy (in line with national regulations) of not allowing some plants and mementos, especially artificial ones, that we believe detracts from the natural beauty of the place and actually makes the churchyard harder to maintain.

Please use the link on the left to read or download the full Churchyard Regulations and we would ask for your co-operation in abiding by these.

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