We can now offer you a magical, relaxed, romantic, unique wedding venue for up to 40 of your closest family and friends, with some on-site Self-catering accommodation. If you have read the last few lines quickly, please re-read them, and think exactly what they mean. This truly is an ancient place, steeped in history which is needed as much today as it was in the distant past, and perhaps more. 98% of travellers recommend this experience. The first problem was to make it watertight and reasonably secure which was achieved with the help of friends & family during the winter of 1990 and despite the lack of electricity or water and the fact that the building was still the subject of regular break-ins and vandalism, on the 1st April a service was held within the ancient walls. However, anyone hoping to have their wedding there can look forward to a spectacular scene as the church is fitted with the finest medieval regalia. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The mound stands at the end of a ley-line which stretches to the east for some 10 miles, exactly upon this line stands three Pre-Reformation Churches, two Roman sites, a Bronze Age Burial Ground and two of the Medway Megaliths, the Coffin Stone and enigmatic Little Kits Coty. 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Receive it immediately Request a brochure Late Availability Last Minute Dates Available 2023 Last Availablity When they looked in the back of his van they found 14 people including young children hiding inside. Definitely be back to this little hidden gem 1010 2 comments Like Comment Share It was back in the 1970s that a young surveyor from Maidstone read by chance an article about a Village which was abandoned as a result of The Black Death all that remained was its Norman Church which had stood empty for over six hundred years and was now lost in a little known valley in the North Downs close to Luddesdown in Kent. To celebrate the millennium a beautiful retreat building was constructed in English Oak a place of solitude and peace for those wishing to escape the world for a few days or indeed celebrate their wedding. The guardians ensure that this special place remains preserved and able to uphold the rites of passage for all with respect and dignity. The mound stands at the end of a ley-line which stretches to the east for some 10 miles, exactly upon this line stands three Pre-Reformation Churches, two Roman sites, a Bronze Age Burial Ground and two of the Medway Megaliths, the Coffin Stone and enigmatic Little Kits Coty. The church is all that remains, having been rebuilt in the 1990's. . The Lost Village of Dode Hosted 16 events total If you would learn of history - of a fragment of rural history in these hidden vales of Kent - come with me to this Ghost Village of Dode - So wrote Donald Maxwell - 1926. Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox. words from Doug to Pat & Phil on the lead up to their special day last May and what an incredible day it was. It was a wonderful day , Just a quick note to say thanks again, especially to Paul who made us both feel so relaxed. In order to observe the three traditional Rights of Passage and celebrate the circle of life, cremated ashes have been interred & scattered within the grounds but by the year 2020 respectful space had become scarce. Resorts near The Lost Village of Dode, Gravesend on Tripadvisor: Find 20,458 traveler reviews, 1,170 candid photos, and prices for resorts near The Lost Village of Dode in Gravesend, England. Doug believes that most people who visit Dode feel that - some in a very deep way. Have been twice to the Historical talk and the Owl experience. The Lost Village of Dode #24 of 27 things to do in Gravesend Architectural Buildings Visit website Call Email Write a review About Suggested duration < 1 hour Suggest edits to improve what we show. A previous offer to the Church of England to begin to use the building free of charge had been turned down, but again as luck would have it a relatively recent change in the law meant it had become possible for couples to marry in a civil ceremony in approved premises. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Intimate ceremonies for up to 42 people starting from 2,280inc vat, All suppliers in East Riding Of Yorkshire. As funds permitted there followed a seven-year program of repair, conservation & furnishing interspersed with a number of events such as annual Christmas carol concerts, but proper security & keeping warm remained a problem and by the end of year five a suitable replacement door was still only a distant dream; a large metal grill provided security and during the winter events an 8 by 4 sheet of hardboard was wedged in the doorway to stop the draughts. No reviews yet. DA13 0XF. Everyonevtoo great care of us in the lead up and on the day. [2] It was built on a man-made mound. If you would learn of history of a fragment of rural history in these hidden vales of Kent come with me to this Ghost Village of Dode So wrote Donald Maxwell 1926. All that remains now is the chapel that has stood on the site for over 900 years. If you are looking for a spiritual centre for your life. This ancient sacred place whose origins go back far beyond the present building is open at regular times, principally but not exclusively during the summer months for private reflection and prayer and now performs all of the functions of established Churches such as marriages baby naming memorial services & renewal of vows etc but in a humanist or civil service and after essentially being unloved & forgotten for almost 650 years it is once again taking its rightful place in Kent and the wider worlds life. Archaeological evidence shows habitation in the Dode area during the time of the Roman Empire. All that remains in Dode is the Church of Our Lady of the Meadows, which is now a wedding venue. Save The Leylines of Dode - Evening Talk to your collection. Council to shut and bulldoze main public toilets in Tunbridge Wells and others are under threat, And other toilets in the borough are under threat including in Paddock Wood, Map shows the takeaway hotspots in Kent as figures show obesity rates are growing, It is widely accepted that fast food is not the healthiest choice. These were the parting. However, it seems that the church was destined to be saved as in 1990 Doug Chapman, a chartered surveyor who worked at Canterbury Cathedral, bought the church and set about restoring it to its original state. The nearby hill is known as "Holly Hill" which is a corruption of "Holy Hill", and the lane which leads to the village is "Wrangling Lane", showing that the mound could be the site of a meeting place. Located in the heart of Gravesham and just above the River Medway lies an abandoned village. Shared with Public Our Handfasting was amazing and magical. Read more. It was built on top of an ancient man made mound that it is now known as Holly Hill, as opposed to 'Holy' due to the hamlet's nefarious reputation. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways youve consented to and improve our understanding of you. Now having been lovingly restored by the current owners, this beautiful, charming, privately owned medieval church is known as The Lost Village of Dode and is available for hire. In an almost forgotten valley between Luddesdown and Holly Hill, astride the North Downs of Kent this beautiful Norman building stands sentinal over the site. A tattoo on the foot of one of our couples. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The hill which totally surrounds and shelters the building has been known from time immemorial as Holly Hill and it is approached by a narrow roadway which goes nowhere, its ancient name is Wrangling Lane. Flights Vacation Rentals Restaurants Things to do . The Lost Village of Dode is perfect for couples who want to begin their tale of love, romance and desire, either inside or outside. All that remains in Dode is the Church of Our Lady of the Meadows, which is now a wedding venue. Without a congregation the small church was abandoned never to be used for regular worship again. In a hidden Kentish valley, Dode has been a sacred place of peace for over 900 years nurturing the circle of life through rites of passage for all. Custom packages can be catered for on request. Over the next couple of decades,. There is no doubt this building would have been at the heart of the tiny village at Dode all those years ago and today it remains unchanged and a popular venue for civil celebrations but now accessible to a much wider community. You can choose from an intimate indoor Civil Ceremony or Partnership and Renewal of Vows. Especially Paul for being on hand on our day. A message to all our wonderful couples, family, friends and followers of Dode. If you would learn of history of a fragment of rural history in these hidden vales of Kent come with me to this Ghost Village of Dode So wrote Donald Maxwell 1926. Just walking through the door you experience a timeless spirituality and peace. Thanks to my supporters on Patreon https://www.patreon.. There are very few places in the world where you can actually sit in the same space that other people sat 900 years ago and where the people who built it would recognise it today. This is the lane leading to Dode, which is on the right after half a mile or so. The stone circle at Dode evokes the spirituality of the centuries that have passed and the ancient beauty of worship on so many levels. It was built on a man-made mound. As luck would have it the last person to arrive that Christmas was the owner of a specialist joinery company and it was windy! You can choose from an intimate indoor Civil Ceremony, Partnership or Renewal of Vows. For over 9 centuries the spiritual centre of the village, Dode church, has been a place of peace, worship, tolerance and respect. A place to be. Responding to requests from many couples to be married at Dode, some 18 years ago it was licensed as a Civil Wedding Venue, a use which continues. At the junction take the left fork, signposted Luddesdown. Indeed it was to remain asleep until 1901 when it was purchased by a local antiquary who restored it at his own expense, thereafter it gradually began to wake up and for over a hundred years occasional use was made of the building although it is still very much a silent place. The Lost Village of Dode's Social Media. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and Oxford Day Trip, Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise, The Ultimate London Tour: Private Full-Day Tour in a Black Cab, Tower of London Entrance Ticket Including Crown Jewels and Beefeater Tour, Guided Luxury Paris Day Trip with Optional Lunch at the Eiffel Tower, Westminster 3 Hour Walking Tour & Visit Churchill War Rooms. [2], The wedding venue hit the British press in December 2009 because of the snowfall which occurred across the country. All the best, Therefore, within the circle it seems only right that some of the timeless rites of passage such as handfastings and wiccenings (baby namings) take place witnessed by the passages of time that go beyond Dode and on to eternity. We also offer a number of unique additions to your day including an Owl to deliver your rings, cuddly alpacas or bubbles as you leave the church. To help, visualize that the last Masses were said and that the Building had been silent and sleeping for almost 150 years before Columbus discovered America. However its Keeper who describes himself as having Animistic leanings and having a close symbiotic relationship with not only the church but also with its sense of place remained concerned- even unhappy, somewhere a wrong turning had been made. Doug painstakingly restored the church's interior to how it would have looked in its original state. Luddesdown, a Picturesque Village in the county of Kent (4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction SE of Dode) Aylesford is a large village in Kent, 4 miles NW of the county town of . The 12th Century seating still in place around the walls will continue to be used and to provide a reminder of the circle of our forefathers who once gathered here to celebrate important times in their lives, long before any building occupied this sacred place. Bloody Mary shots with king prawn and celery. Thanks to my supporters on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/JohnRogers Please subscribe for regular videos: http://bit.ly/1EJjIB8Our walk starts at Halling Station and proceeds through Upper Halling, over the Pilgrims Way and onto a chalk ridge and pick up the North Downs Way. Pantile House | Newlands Drive | Witham | Essex | CM8 2AP | UK It is now used for weddings and events - and reports of hauntings are thankfully scarce. It became clear that in order to continue Dodes heritage as a church with ancient inalienable rights of Marriage, Baptism & Burial, a solution should be found and at the beginning of 2021 construction began on a beautiful structure; nestling within the fold if the valley to eventually contain some 350 urns, and despite the virus, it is hoped that it will be completed by the late spring. As nobody who inhabited the village survived the plague, it was believed that the area was cursed. The basic simplicity of the building, which has always been Dodes abiding strength, will however remain unaltered. Special prices available for Micro Weddings of 15 people or less. A well used to stand next to the church which had long been thought to be bottomless. The retreat offers accommodation built with the most natural and humble of material, nestled in a wooded corner of Dode with a view of the church and the stone circle. Hotels near Gravesend Visitor Information Centre, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Gravesend, Game & Entertainment Centres in Gravesend, 5.5-Hour Exclusive Malibu Stars Homes & Beautiful Beach Tour, Chicago Hip Hop Experience - Soul by the Mile, Walking the famous hanging bridges of Chulilla, Santorini 5 Hour Custom Private Sightseeing Tour, Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria, Mount Pilatus Summer Day Trip from Zurich, View all hotels near The Lost Village of Dode on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near The Lost Village of Dode on Tripadvisor. Venue hire can be for ceremony only or the full day to include reception time. For other uses, see, "One man's revival of ancient English rites", "A brief explanatory note on the churches and parishes of Paddlesworth and Dode", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dode,_Kent&oldid=1092408248, This page was last edited on 10 June 2022, at 03:19. Dode has been loved and cared for the last 30 years by Douglas & Mary Chapman, The Lost Village of Dode, We work with only the best suppliers who have worked with Dode for a number of years so we pride ourselves on being able to provide a seamless and stress-free day for you. For some Dode is much more than a spiritual centre. Read more. A licence from the Kent County Council was eventually obtained and in September 1999 the first marriage in six hundred and fifty years was celebrated. 2020 The Lost Village of Dode Great Buckland, Shorne, Cobham And Luddesdown Ward, Kent, DA13 0XF, United Kingdom. [3], Following the Black Death, the village was abandoned, and the church stood empty for centuries. [7], Eventually the building deteriorated again and was vandalised. Luddesdown, 90% of travellers recommend this experience. 'It's 5.30am in the morning, and that welcomed harbinger of Spring, the Dawn Chorus has just begun outside my window,. Many people agreed and just over a year ago another long journey began; this time to create a new village not a collection of houses as had once existed in the valley but an active group of like-minded people who have an emotional attachment with (as that well known champion & illustrator of Kent, Graham Clarke writes) this lovely church on its lovely hill. The Lost Village of Dode: Romance in the Stones - A historic, legendary, hidden gem of a wedding venue, in the heart of the Kent countryside. "Dancing in the moonlight" with everybody feeling warm and bright at The Lost Village of Dode in July for Mr & Mrs Jennings beautiful wedding photographed by Tom Beynon Photography At Dode we are. Dode is such a special place and I cannot think of anywhere else we would have tied the knot. [1] Since 1999 it has been licensed as a civil wedding venue. Suggest edits to improve what we show. Holly Henge is the name given to the stone circle at Dode which is said to evoke the spirituality of the centuries that have passed. The Lost Village of Dode is perfect for couples who want to begin their tale of love, romance and desire, either inside or outside. Be the first to share your thoughts! Archaeological evidence confirms occupation of the site during the Roman period and on a still night when the moon is full it is not difficult to imagine pre-Christian rites in this secluded Valley where real harmony with nature still exists, Dode is indeed a place of myth and legend. We will definitely be sending you some photos soon. Architectural Buildings. If you are looking for a spiritual centre for your life. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Holly Barrow, a modern interpretation of a Neolithic long barrow, has opened at The Lost Village of Dode. Dode is one of those places because it hasn't changed at all. The lost village of Dode, abandoned over 600 years ago due to the Black Death, is now a place of. 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the lost village of dode