Bilsington

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Bilsington
latitude= 51.0732
longitude= 0.9202
map_type=
civil_parish= Bilsington
population = 274
shire_district= Ashford
shire_county= Kent
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Ashford
post_town= TONBRIDGE
postcode_district = TN25
postcode_area= TN
dial_code= 01233
os_grid_reference= TR045345

Bilsington is a village and civil parish [ [http://www.saxonshore-kent.gov.uk/bilsingtoncouncil.html Bilsington Parish Council] ] in the Ashford district of Kent, England. The village is south of Ashford, on the Royal Military Canal. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 274. [ [http://www.villagenet.co.uk/dr-syn/villages/bilsington.php Notes on the village] ]

The village has an historic church, St Peter and St Paul, dating from around the second half of the 13th century when the Priory of St Augustine probably impropriated it. The Priory can be seen north east of the church, frac|3|4 of a mile away, but it was surrendered to the crown in 1535. The Aldington Gang are said to have used the Priory during some of their smuggling exploits of the 1820s. Today the Priory is a wedding and conference centre. [ [http://www.bilsingtonprioryestate.co.uk/ Bilsington Priory Estate Ltd website] ]

Inside the church the Nave has four windows which are 14th century in style and there are some original fragments of glass present. There is a blocked Norman window. Above the chancel arch hangs the Royal arms of George the 111, dated 1774. Above the door into the tower is a stone bearing a carving which may well be the oldest surviving work in the church dating from about the 12th century. [ [http://www.romneydeanery.org.uk/Bilsington.shtml Romsey Deanery] ]

The most striking feature in the village is the 58 feet high Cosway memorial obelisk dedicated to a local landowner who lost his life in a coaching accident.

Bilsington is situated on the B2067, Hamstreet to Hythe road.http://www.ashford.gov.uk/about_the_borough/towns_and_villages/bilsington.aspx Ashford Borough Council website