BARFRESTON, a parish in the hundred of EASTRY, lathe of ST-AUGUSTINE, county of KENT, 6 miles (S. byE.) from Wingham, containing 115 inhabitants. The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury, rated in the king's books at £7- 14., endowed with £400 private benefaction, and £400 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the President and Fellows of St. John's College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, presents a fine specimen of Norman architecture, especially in the southern porch, which is richly ornamented with varied mouldings. It is a small building, consisting of a nave and chancel, the latter much narrower than the former, and separated from it by a large circular arch, supported by two elegant wreathed pillars: the exterior is curiously ornamented with carved stone work and circular windows and arches, particularly at the east end, which has a beautiful circular upper window; the west end has also a fine circular arch, with diagonal ornaments and sculptured rows of figures: niches for statues surround the entire building. This parish, and some adjoining it, contain numerous tumuli.