Rooted in history
The Tillingham Estate, linked to St Paul’s Cathedral and one of the longest single owned pieces of land in English history, is exploring a new chapter. Our team is lucky enough to be supporting the estate on the next stage of its journey.
17 November 2025
It may not be as well-known as the likes of Blenheim, Badminton and Burghley, but even these great estates can’t match the deep historic roots of the Tillingham Estate on the Essex coast.
The estate, which today is made up of three let farms totalling 1,200 acres of arable marshland on the Dengie Peninsula and a portfolio of let homes, has been in the hands of the same owners for over 1,420 years – the longest single ownership in Britain.
Tillingham’s history stretches right back to the birth of Christianity in Britain. In 604 AD, it was gifted to the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral by King Æthelberht of Kent, the first Anglo-Saxon king to convert to Christianity.
Æthelberht had earlier been converted by the monk Augustine, who had been sent in 595 AD by Pope Gregory to disseminate the word of God to the then pagan British Isles. His earthly reward was to become the first Archbishop of Canterbury.
Augustine was followed by Mellitus, who established St Paul’s Cathedral and was the first Bishop of London. Initially, the Cathedral was a wooden structure that burned down and was rebuilt several times.
Following the Norman conquest in 1066, however, St Paul’s was reconstructed in a grander style and became London’s central ecclesiastical institution. Estates like Tillingham provided a crucial income stream for the Cathedral via agricultural production, rents and other feudal dues.
Unlike the monasteries, whose lands were seized by Henry VIII during the Reformation, St Paul’s was under the control of the Crown and was allowed to hold onto its estates, such as Tillingham.
Photo: The fascinating, detailed history of St Paul’s is matched only by its architecture. Image credit: Graham Lacdao / St Paul’s Cathedral
After St Paul’s was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666, income from the estate played a critical role in funding Sir Christopher Wren’s Baroque masterpiece replacement, which was completed in 1711 and still induces awe in the millions of worshippers and tourists who visit every year.
A new role
Fast forward 300 years or so from the rebuild and it’s clear that an estate the size of Tillingham can’t make a significant financial contribution to the upkeep of a heritage building like St Paul’s, whose annual running costs, let alone restoration projects, come to £17 million.
But that doesn’t mean the estate won’t continue to play an integral role in the ongoing partnership between city and countryside.
“Today, the Tillingham Estate remains a tangible link to St Paul’s long history, embodying centuries of ecclesiastical, agricultural and social development,” explains Rebecca Thompson, the Cathedral’s Director of Property.
“The continued stewardship of the estate ensures that it remains a vital part of the Cathedral’s legacy, supporting its role as a religious, historical and cultural landmark in London. Our vision is for the estate to contribute to the cathedral’s mission through sustainable farming practices and heritage conservation efforts.”
“Income from the estate could support education and community outreach programmes, heritage craft skills, preservation of the Cathedral’s historic fabric and a more diverse and sustainable use of the land and properties.”
“Our master planning project with Knight Frank will lead us to a sustainable, resilient estate with a positive legacy for future generations.”
Joining St Paul’s at this point in their journey and being entrusted with the management of such an historic property is not only a great privilege, but it is also incredibly exciting given the range of natural capital, food production and sustainable land-use opportunities that we can now deliver for our client.
While the estate may be off the beaten track for now, that could change. Walkers looking to take time out for spiritual contemplation are increasingly following in the footsteps of those who undertook the great pilgrimage routes across Europe. Perhaps one day we’ll see people walking between St Paul’s and Tillingham. Its role as one of the country’s most iconic buildings certainly warrants more attention.
Image and banner credit: Graham Lacdao / St Paul’s Cathedral
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