Public to see inside chapel ransacked in Peasants' Revolt

A woman with a centuries-old chapel adjoining her home says she will "learn a little bit more" about the property when it is temporarily opened to the public.

Horne's Place Chapel in Appledore, Kent, is among the properties in south-east England set to welcome visitors during the Heritage Open Days festival.

Rebels led by Wat Tyler ransacked the property in 1381 during the Peasants' Revolt, stealing goods worth £10, with the chapel later rebuilt from stone in about 1520.

Belinda Massey said it was "lovely to meet volunteers when they come along" to the events to talk about the buildings' history.

Massey, who has lived at the site for 35 years, told BBC Radio Kent she had "enjoyed seeing the chapel being restored" over that time.

It had been used as a farm building prior to restoration works, which also saw the chapel reconnected to the residence.

As part of the open days on Saturday and Sunday, English Heritage volunteer Colin Foster will be giving lectures about the Peasants' Revolt and the building's history.

"This is one of three places that I actually do talks at," he said.

"As my wife says, I always go into very, very deep rabbit holes."

According to Foster, the chapel's original, wooden structure dates back to the 13th Century, when it was "physically picked up and moved" to the current location.

The Grade II* listed building underwent roof repairs in the 1950s when English Heritage "took guardianship of it", the property was otherwise "actually pretty much intact from 1520", the guide said.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.