Location: West of the A225 just north of Sevenoaks.
Shoreham is a quiet Kentish village within easy access to several noteworthy attractions to the intrepid explorer. Amongst these are the remains of Lullingstone Roman Villa and Lullingstone Park with its Visitor Centre and Lullingstone Castle.
Shoreham may be reached from London by train but has no taxi service. The railway forges the nearby river by means old a railway viaduct. Shoreham station is the location of the Shoreham Countryside Centre which is run by volunteers and opens weekend afternoons.
The village has a number of curiosities in its history to attract visitors but remains an obscure and largely hidden place. It was once the home of the London born artist Samuel Palmer, (1805-1881) who lived in the village for from 1826 to 1835 where he was part of a group of artists who followed William Blake and called themselves 'The Ancients'. Palmer was principally a landscape painter and etcher, with his early works mainly done in water colours described as possessing a 'visionary, mystical style greatly influenced by Blake'.
Not to be confused with the West Sussex airfield of the same name, (Shoreham) the official opening of the Aircraft Museum was attended by 15 former Battle of Britain pilots.
The Museum pays lasting tribute to all those airmen who fought in the skies over southern England during World War II and houses a substantial collection of aviation relics excavated by the group over many years from sites of crashed British and German aircraft, as well as items which have been donated. The museum has a tea room, serving home made cakes and refreshments, and the visitor may also rest in the cottage garden or view its art gallery.
Founded in 1978, and still run by local enthusiasts the Shoreham Aircraft Museum is largely funded by proceeds made by visitors whose donations contribute to the recovery and preservation of the artefacts. The museum further includes a collection of flying helmets, uniforms and insignia besides a comprehensive display of Home Front memorabilia.
The now famous battle fought between Fighter Command and the Luftwaffe on 15th September, 1940 celebrated as the Battle of Britain brought the village of Shoreham directly into the war when as part of a force of about 100 German bombers approaching London a Dornier 17Z was shot down shortly before noon.
The invading formation had been challenged by nine RAF Squadrons and the battle developed into a series of individual 'dogfights'. The unfortunate pilot of the Dornier was forced to land in a field at Castle Farm, with a Spitfire circling overhead, its cockpit canopy open, and its pilot waving a handkerchief, to signal a warning to the growing crowd of hop pickers nearby to stay away until the Shoreham Home Guard arrived to recover the German crew.
Feldwebel Heitsch, the pilot and Feldwebel Pfeiffer, the observer, were driven to the Public House in Shoreham village, where they were bought a brandy before being driven to Sevenoaks Police Station.
The museum holds a collection of photographs of the Dornier, along with items taken from the wreckage at the time.
Further information:
Lullingstone Roman Villa Lullingstone Park, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA Tel: 01322 863467: An English Heritage property.
Lullingstone Castle Lullingstone Park, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA Tel: 01322 862114
Lullingstone Park Visitor Centre. Kingfisher Bridge, Castle Road, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JF Tel: 01322 865995
Books with local content include:
Joe's Walks for Bad Map-Readers - 13 Country Walks around London, by Joe Alexander with illustrations by Joy Paul (Roxburghe Publishing, 1992, ISBN 09519402 01) Available from the publishers: Roxburghe Publishing, 8 Kenneth Crescent, London NW2 4PT