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St Martin's Church in Canterbury welcomes record number of visitors

England’s oldest church has attracted a record-breaking number of visitors this year - with more than 10,000 people making their way through the Roman walls.

Dating back to 597AD, St Martin’s Church in North Holmes Road forms part of the city’s three-pronged Unesco World Heritage Site along with St Augustine’s Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral.

With the chance of surpassing 11,000 by the turn of the year, the numbers are in stark contrast to falling figures at the Cathedral, which has seen a slump of almost 200,000 in a decade.

St Martin's is a World Heritage Site (5341953)
St Martin's is a World Heritage Site (5341953)

Rev Mark Griffin, who has been rector of the parish for 14 months, said: “It’s very good news as we’ve never gone over 10,000 before - it’s incredible.

“We’re not quite up there with the Cathedral but for just a church this is great.

“Being part of the World Heritage Site is brilliant. People have a more heightened awareness of our church and they make an effort to visit all three places.”

Located outside the city centre, St Martin’s was Queen Bertha of Kent’s private chapel before Augustine arrived from Rome.

Following his arrival, a mission base was set up in the chapel and the site became the cradle of Christianity in England.

Rev Griffin believes the increase in footfall is also simply down to more people taking an interest in history.

Christopher Gower, Rev Mark Griffin, Rev Hannah Thompon, Mike Butler and Ruth Mattews are pleased with the record breaking year (5341962)
Christopher Gower, Rev Mark Griffin, Rev Hannah Thompon, Mike Butler and Ruth Mattews are pleased with the record breaking year (5341962)

The vicar added: “The church has such a rich history and visitors get to come here and feel that. They can touch the Roman walls and really imagine the past when they are inside.

“Some days the number of visitors are small number and then other times we have a lot. One day, we have had 400 people.

“There is always someone here to welcome the visitors when they come and whoever is here keeps a tally of everyone who walks in. It’s quite an experience for anyone who comes and word of mouth really helps.”

Known as the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking world, it has been a continued place of worship for an unbroken 1,400 years.

The graveyard is the resting place of Rupert Bear creator Mary Tourtel and landscape painter Thomas Sidney Cooper.

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