The Lost Village of Dode (Official)

01/03/2025

The birds this morning wide awake with the songs of Spring…🍃🦉🐦‍⬛

01/03/2025

March Events at The Lost Village of Dode

As spring arrives, we invite you to experience the magic of Dode with a range of special events designed to relax, restore, and inspire.

🌿 Gong Bath at Dode Church 🌿📅 Sunday, 9th March 2025🕥 10:30 AM
Immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of planetary gongs with Ellie in the ancient and atmospheric setting of Dode. A deeply restorative experience for the mind and body.🔸 Limited spaces available – book here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gong-bath-at-the-lost-village-of-dode-tickets-1117012066159?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

💐 Spring Flowers & Flow – A Morning of Yoga & Blooms 💐📅 Sunday, 23rd March 2025🕥 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Start the day with a gentle yoga session, then get creative with a spring flower arranging workshop using beautiful British-grown blooms. Enjoy a glass of fizz, homemade cake, and take home your floral masterpiece.🔸 Early bird tickets: £55 | Full price: £60 | Book now via

🏰 Spring Public Open Afternoon 🏰📅 Sunday, 23rd March 2025🕜 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Curious about Dode? This is a rare opportunity to explore the church and its surroundings at your own pace. Whether you’re considering it as a wedding venue, a spiritual retreat, or simply want to soak in its history, all are welcome.🔸 No booking required – just come along!

☕ Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Dode ☕📅 Sunday, 30th March 2025🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM & 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Treat someone special to a delightful afternoon tea by Mary’s Kitchen and Finickity Fayre, featuring a selection of sweet and savoury treats in the enchanting surroundings of Dode.🔸 £35 per person – book by contacting [email protected].

Step away from the everyday and into the tranquility of The Lost Village of Dode this March.

We look forward to welcoming you.

📖 For full details and bookings, visit: www.dodevillage.com/events

27/02/2025

We are delighted to share that you can now hold a tiny ceremony from 2 to ten people at The Lost Village of Dode.

Experience the magic of an intimate, all-inclusive elopement package in this historic and romantic setting.

Let us make your special day truly unforgettable, for two to ten people maximum.

For more information about elopeing at The Lost Village Of Dode, visit the link in the bio ⬆️ or our website

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📋 and
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26/02/2025

🍃 Beltane 🍃 wow you guys were quick…didn’t even manage to get it onto the website before it’s fully booked.
More tickets may be released soon. Watch this space…

26/02/2025

Our dogs are very much part of the family right? So if your wedding venue welcomes them, as The Lost Village of Dode (Official) did in 2023 for couple Annie and James with family pooch Izzy, then why not include them in your day...

Photography by Matt James photography

23/02/2025

18/02/2025

14/02/2025

12/02/2025

✨ A Sanctuary for the Soul ✨

In the heart of the Kent countryside lies a retreat like no other—a place where time slows, the air is thick with history, and nature gently welcomes you home. 🌿✨

A stay at The Retreat allows you exclusive access to the two acres of ancient grounds surrounding the cottages and Dode church. Yours to wander and enjoy this privileged opportunity that comes with staying in a place of peace for thousands of years.

“I cannot thank you enough for creating this piece of heaven. Your cottage created the perfect birthday for me. I cannot remember the last time I felt so cut off from everything, but free to breathe and forget about any worries. I don't have the words to offer a picture of how peaceful, beautiful and perfect my stay was. The cottage is charming (the whirlpool bath is inspired), the lack of WIFI and phone signal released me. The silence, only broken by and owl hoot), the stars, I loved it. This will always be a magical memory for me. I will be back! Adam"

Whether you seek peace, reflection, or reconnection, your sanctuary awaits. 💫

📖 Read more: https://www.dodevillage.com/stories/a-sanctuary-for-the-soul-retreating-to-the-lost-village-of-dode/
📍 Book your escape: https://www.dodevillage.com/the-retreat/

In the fast pace of modern life, finding stillness can feel like an impossible dream. At The Lost Village of Dode, we invite you to press pause—to breathe, to reflect, to reconnect with the world around you and the world within.

09/02/2025

'The Well'

The village well has always fascinated people and a couple of pictures posted by Becky earlier showed how the frost and occasionally snow, remind us of one of our little ‘hidden’ secrets’.

It, like so many other things at the church has always been a source of intrigue and is somewhat mysterious, indeed an investigation carried out years ago by the Kent Underground Research Group almost inevitably ended with the word ‘mystery’.

https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=10881

Here’s its story:
When l came to Dode 35 years ago it was sealed with a concrete slab., although it had obviously been open at some time previously as the postcard shows.

There were many ridiculous stories, it’s a Holy Well - it was bottomless - there was a tunnel leading from the well to an underground chamber beneath the church - the bodies were thrown down there following the Black Death.

In 1996 we were carrying out an archaeological dig in advance of what would eventually come to be the site of the Retreats and took the opportunity of uncovering and exploring the well , a copy of the Research Groups findings is here.
Far from bottomless, and with no signs of tunnels, bodies etc there appeared no great mysteries - and yet!

Rather than reseal it permanently and conscious of its importance to Dode’s story
we built a simple wellhead around it from bricks salvaged from the old walls that once surrounded the church.

It was a big mistake, in those days things were still quite lawless up there, and very soon the neighbours informed us that it was being used as a kind of shaft for the testing, development and perfection of Molotov cocktails.

It’s original builders had somehow, inexplicably failed to take into account that it was in the wrong place, and in the future it would be in the middle of a car park so once again, and with regret, it was slabbed over.

And there it remains, its ghostly outline reappearing occasionally in winter time.
I would dearly love to have it excavated. For over 600 years people have been throwing things down there, just imagine what might be found.

If this were to happen then there is even an embryonic idea to use the original shaft as a ready made geothermal heat source to provide sustainable energy to the church and retreats - how cool (sorry) would that be?

Unfortunately funds do not permit either project but who knows what the future holds?

I said that there were no great mysteries but just one remains.

One day I received a call from Colin the caretaker, something strange had happened to the well. At that time there was a strong iron grill set into the brickwork and covering the shaft.

I arrived to find it completely broken, the bars were all twisted and bent out of shape, but here’s the strange thing - they were pushed up from the inside!
I lose sleep at night so you don’t have to.

Blessed Be - Doug.

07/02/2025

A Wedding from Another Realm ✨🏹

On a crisp December day, Charlie & Mike travelled from Lincolnshire to Dode to celebrate their love in a way that felt truly otherworldly.

Surrounded by just 16 of their dearest family and friends, their Lord of the Rings-inspired wedding was filled with moments of pure magic. A barnowl delivered the rings 🦉, the couple and guests took part in archery 🏹, and at the heart of it all, they were bound together in a beautiful handfasting ceremony led by our very own Gandulf. 🧙‍♂️💛

A stunning grazing feast by Prinsa Celebrations awaited them, before the evening concluded with an awe-inspiring fire performance—the perfect ending to a day steeped in history, nature, and wonder. 🔥

It was an honour to witness such an intimate and magical union—one that will forever be part of Dode’s story.

"We just wanted to say thank you for everything, our wedding day was completely wonderful and both Paul and Matt were fantastic! Loved Paul, as did everyone else.. he did a fantastic handfasting which we will treasure forever. Matt really knocked it out of the park, he wasn’t just the photographer, but was our go-to guy throughout the whole day. He was calm and reassuring before the ceremony, which was a huge help for both Mike and I. And beyond that, he was just so friendly and made sure everything ran smoothly from start to finish."

📸 Captured in all its ethereal glory by Matt James photography

Catering: Prinsa's Celebrations
Owls: The Kent Owl Academy
Flowers: Moody BloomsBlooms
Archery:
Cake: The Cake Witch

03/02/2025

We couldn’t let today go by without mentioning that it’s today and what better to celebrate our gorgeous Cooper (some may have met him before on visits) and his friends then this throwback to the amazing ‘She Said Woof’ doggy wedding 🥰

Shot back in 2020, we did something a little bit different, including mans best friend. 🐶 We hope you love reading about it here as much as we enjoyed putting it together!

https://www.magpiewedding.com/magpie-wedding/dog-wedding-lost-village-of-dode-kent/

The team for our Dog Wedding With Doggy Ice Cream Reception included;

Photographer
Venue US!
Videographer
Dog suit/floral collars Tuna & Bear
Flowers Blooms
Cakes/Treats .artisan.cakery
Props
Doggy Ice Cream
Drinking Bowl & Tags
Signage –
Doggy Attire
Poem
Doggy models - Cooper & friends

03/02/2025

💚 Welcome February 💚

03/02/2025

If you’ve ever wondered about the hidden ancient well at Dode….visit on a frosty morning and you’ll find a clue 🕳️ ❄️

01/02/2025

🌿✨ Imbolc Blessings from The Lost Village of Dode ✨🌿

As the wheel of the year turns, we welcome Imbolc, a time of renewal, light, and the quiet stirrings of Spring. The first brave snowdrops emerge from the earth, a delicate promise of warmth to come.

Here at Dode, nestled within the rolling Kent countryside, these tiny white flowers bloom against ancient stone, a reminder that even in the stillness of winter, life is beginning anew.

May the returning light bring hope, growth, and new beginnings to all who seek them.

Blessed Imbolc. 🌞🌿

26/01/2025

A story followed by a question….

Thank you for listening to my little tale of Mabel and your sympathetic comments, it may have all happened 700 years ago but she was as real as you and I.

Within the comments was a ‘heads up’ about previous research carried out by a reader and so I dug (no pun this time) a little deeper.

The conclusion of the research was that at the time of Mabel and her amour the church was striving to impose its views of morality and how people should behave on a population that had its own well established and accepted set of mores.

Perhaps that answers my question as to why the punishment was so harsh.

Later in the comments by the same lady used an expression “plus ca change” - not wishing to appear ignorant I looked it up!

And that’s why I’m writing this - another little story, also about a church trying to impose its will on a clearly more free thinking populace, but bang up to date this time.

Here’s a picture of a book. It’s a part of Dodes story and heritage and was printed well over 100 years ago. (You could call it the book of Dode).

In the early days a friend painted a banner depicting the dragon on the cover to hang on the walls, it was a colourful and fun addition to the austere flint, before we had purchased some of the hangings.

Unfortunately not everyone agreed and I received some very snotty letters from the then Archdeacon of Rochester, here’s a couple of extracts from our archives.

It was naive of me l know, but not wishing to give offence, and mindful of Mabels beating l removed and destroyed the banner.

Fast forward to last year - Mary and I often visit Rochester Cathedral. Along with thousands of others we find it a place of contemplation and healing.
And here’s the thing, hanging, suspended from the roof was a magnificent dragon, inspired by an illustration in the Textus Roffensis, (the book of Rochester). We both loved it!

An English phrase that l do however understand - ‘do as I say, not as I do’ - sprang immediately to mind.

At the end of last year l found it necessary to contact the diocese and bring some concerns to the attention of the Archdeacon. Whilst I had his attention l brought up the obvious contradiction and asked if there had been a change of doctrine.

He seems a thoughtful, caring chap, and was prepared to engage. His response was somewhat ‘tentative’ but perhaps delved too deeply into what kind of dragon it was or where it originated from (l always thought that they were mythical - but if the church has a list of the different types, who am l to argue!).

The upshot was that whilst our displaying a dragon in a tiny church in the middle of nowhere, and visited at that time by only a few people caused offence, its depiction in one of Englands oldest cathedrals ,visited by thousands has caused none.
I still don’t appreciate feeling browbeaten, even ‘bullied’ to accept a stance by the former Archdeacon and I was glad to receive an oblique assurance from a successor, however tentatively phrased, that I’m unlikely to suffer any further censure if we hang a new dragon from our walls.

If like me you’re unsure of the phrase ‘plus ca change‘ roughly translated it means
‘The more things change, the more they stay the same’.

I am not anti any religion, but controlling behaviour in these ‘Hidden Vales of Kent’ some 700 years apart??
You judge.

And the question?

Is there anyone out there with an artistic flair who can reproduce the Dode Dragon on a 14 foot long banner, it’s time he or she (it’s hard to tell) came back to grace our walls.

Bright Blessings -
Doug.

25/01/2025

🎉✨ Burns Night at The Lost Village of Dode ✨🎉

Tonight, we gather with Flying Pig Kitchen to honor the legendary Robert Burns with a supper filled with Scottish charm, hearty food, and a warm community spirit. 🍽️🍷

Our ancient walls will echo with the sound of poetry, laughter, and perhaps the swirl of a wee dram! Whether you’re raising a glass of whisky or savoring the traditional haggis, this evening celebrates culture, connection, and the magic of coming together.

To everyone joining us tonight, we can’t wait to celebrate with you! And to those at home, let’s toast to the Bard who brought Scotland’s spirit to life in every line. 🥂✨

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” 🎶