Skip to content
To Do in Kent
CastlesHistory and heritageFree

St Leonard's Tower

West Malling, West Kent

The tall square Norman stone tower of St Leonard's Tower beside a stone wall and bare treesPhoto: Poliphilo, CC0

Photo: Poliphilo, CC0

St Leonard's Tower is an early Norman tower keep that still rises almost to its full height on a sandstone ledge outside West Malling. Nobody is sure who built it or why: some credit Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, others Bishop Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror. You view it from outside, so pair it with a walk in Manor Park opposite.

Highlights

  • Free-standing Norman tower keep, almost full height
  • Mystery over its builder and purpose
  • Opposite Manor Park Country Park

Good to know

  • Exterior viewing only
  • Named after a chapel of St Leonard that once stood nearby
  • Smoking, vaping, barbecues and naked flames are not allowed

Getting there

St Leonard's Tower, St Leonard's Street, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6PDParking: Paid parking at Manor Park Country Park opposite (not run by English Heritage).

Get directions

Checked on 16 October 2026 against english-heritage.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check

Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us

Nearby

Lake fringed with trees at Manor Park Country Park, West MallingPhoto: David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0
OutdoorsWest Malling · under 1 km

Manor Park Country Park

Manor Park Country Park sits in the grounds of an 18th century estate on the edge of West Malling, with a lake, wildflower meadows and woodland copses. Walk the lakeside path, spot ducks, swans and kingfishers, then use the play area and café. It is an easy outing for young families and takes an hour or two.

FreeDirections
AdventureWest Malling · under 1 km

The Wright Event

The Wright Event runs off-road activity days at Ashtree Farm near West Malling, a 200-acre estate of fields, orchards and woodland. Quad biking starts with a safety briefing and obstacle course before an instructor-led safari across the estate, and there are 4x4 driving and multi-activity days too. It suits teens and adults after an adrenaline outing, with quad sessions from 1 to 2 hours.

£50 and overDirections
Coldrum Long Barrow, from National TrustImage: National Trust
History and heritageTrottiscliffe · 4 km

Coldrum Long Barrow

Coldrum Long Barrow is a megalithic chambered tomb built more than 6,000 years ago and the best-preserved example in Kent, ringed by large sarsen stones. Walk up from the small car park to explore the stones, which have been unfenced to mark 100 years of National Trust care. It suits history lovers, walkers and dog owners, and an hour is plenty unless you add a longer walk.

FreeDirections