Boxley Abbey

In recent years the SPAB has forged a constructive and collaborative working relationship with Boxley Abbey, an important historic site linked to our Old House Project building. This has allowed training, research and investigation to occur, along with large-scale working parties.

This page is a repository for all things Boxley Abbey, including archaeological reports, surveys, SPAB lectures, photos and various other files and links for anyone interested in the site and the SPAB’s involvement with it.

Videos

Old House Project: 2020, a year in review | SPAB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1kob4oJAZk

Old House Project: 2020, a year in review | SPAB

Old House Project: Grey Chalk Burning in our Lime-Stabilised Soil Kiln | SPAB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39a_yUDQvII

Old House Project: Grey Chalk Burning in our Lime-Stabilised Soil Kiln | SPAB

2020 provided us with some unique challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic but over the summer we were able to safely bring a few volunteers to site so they could learn how to build a lime-stabilised soil field kiln and burn lime. This video follows the process from quarry to mortar. Grey chalk from a local quarry was burned in a hand-built kiln, the resulting quicklime was mixed with soil, water and straw to make our own mortar on site in the exact quantities we needed - no waste!

With special thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Pilgrim Trust and everyone who ensured the roof was repaired by sponsoring a tile.

Repairing an ancient abbey in Kent | SPAB Working Party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF1eijfSHWQ

The 2021 working party at Boxley Abbey

1952_BOXLEY HOSPITIUM 2020

https://vimeo.com/510195866/5d59930904

Terra Measurement: virtual fly-through video or our digital twin capture of the hospitium

Old House Lectures: Archaeological investigations at St Andrews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThptbMtL6Aw

Old House Lectures: Archaeological investigations at St Andrews

How old is the SPAB's Old House Project site, St Andrews? What is its relationship with nearby Boxley Abbey? How does archeaology help us to understand building as a whole? Graham Keevil, an archaeological consultant, takes us on a tour St Andrews' past.

Old House Lectures: Introducing St Andrews, Kent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i30pdqEtKA

Old House Lectures: Archaeological investigations at St Andrews

The first in a short series of Old House Project lectures, SPAB director Matthew Slocombe explains why the SPAB bought the Grade II* medieval chapel and what we hope to achieve with the project. Matthew will also give a brief history of this fascinating building and its context within the landscape.