Agriculture is predominant throughout the parish. On the low hills to the north of the Royal Military Canal, cattle and sheep are reared and a variety of crops are grown on the heavy clay soil. On the marsh, sheep are grazed, and the rich soil supports a variety of crops including wheat, barley, potatoes and peas.

The parish's 600 acres or so of woodland, part of the ancient Wealden forest, lie to the north of the canal and provide a rich habitat for wildlife. Squirrels, rabbits, badgers and foxes are common, while deer and wild boar can still occasionally be seen. The bird life is plentiful and varied, including tawny, barn, little and long-eared owls, nightingales and swallows.

The reed-filled dykes that divide the marshlands are a haven for mallard ducks, moorhens and coots, as well as swan, heron and the occasional kingfisher. Hares, foxes, badgers and mink are also present in large numbers, as are hawks, snipe and partridge.

Two books 'Bilsington People 1800 - 1900', published 1972 and the recently published 'Bilsington People 1900 - 2000' provide a very interesting insight into life in Bilsington during these twocenturies. Copies are available through Terry Tarrant (01233 720404).

The Priory was built in 1253 by Sir John Mansell, Lord Chief Justice to King Henry III, for the religious order known as the Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine of Hippo - commonly called the Black Canons. Until King Henry VIII dissolved it in 1535, the Priory provided shelter to pilgrims travelling to Canterbury to visit the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket. Thereafter, part of the Priory became a farmhouse and the rest was reduced to ruins.

Around two hundred years ago the Priory became a centre for smuggling. George Ransley, the leader of the notorious band of smugglers known as the Aldington Gang lived nearby at Bourne Tap, and it was probably he who, in a bid to deter strangers, was responsible for creating many of the ghost stories about the Priory.

The Cosway Monument was built in 1835 in memory of Sir Richard Cosway, who was killed in a coaching accident. Sir Richard was a much-loved local benefactor, a wealthy landowner and Lord of the Manor of Bilsington. The Monument is about 52 feet high and is built from Kentish ragstone.

The monument became such a well-known landmark for shipping and aircraft that it was in danger of being demolished during the Second World War, for fear that it might aid the enemy. On 21st October 1967 the monument was extensively damaged by lightning and, over the next thirty years, exposure to the elements caused further deterioration.

In May 1997, a charitable trust was formed with the object of restoring the Monument and, as a first step, the Monument was leased for 99 years from the landowner on whose ground it stood. The cost of restoration, including landscaping, was estimated at £93,719. A successful application for National Lottery funding was made in April 1998 and a 90% grant was awarded. The Bilsington Craft Fayre donated the balance, which enabled restoration to begin. The works were completed in August 1999, and the 'capping off' ceremony on 3rd September 1999 brought Bilsington's Millennium Project to a successful conclusion.

The present church is Norman and has strong connections with St. Augustine's Priory, whose Canons did much for the church. In later years, the church, in common with the Priory and the village as a whole, was involved in smuggling and may have been used to store contraband. The 15th century bell stands outside the church because the bell tower was thought to be too weak to bear its weight. The bell's inscription of "For many a year John's bell shall sound" is sadly no longer the case. From the churchyard there are extensive views across Romney Marsh.

The church is grouped with three others to form the United Benefice of Aldington, Bilsington, Bonnington and Lympne. Details of services and the clergy are given in the Saxonshore - Community section of this website.