A maze of lanes deters heavy traffic from entering Barfreston, a handsome village in the farming country lying just north of the Lyminge Forest. The immediate vicinity was once the site of several collieries, which operated until the Second World War. Nature has taken over again, however, and the dominant feature in the surrounding landscape is farming. Barfreston's small Norman parish church is worth a special visit. It is remarkable for its stone carvings, the best of which are around the east door, representing an array of creatures, scenes of Medieval life and religious symbols.
Visitors can obtain an explanatory leaflet from the pub opposite.
There is another curious feature of the church - the church bell is attached to a yew tree in the churchyard. The church is dedicated to St. Peter. Chartham, Kent Howfield came to Mary Hales, co-heir of John Hales. She entitled to her husband, Alexander Culpeper, Esq. He alienated it to the Fanes circa 1630.