An "incredible" Tudor shipwreck found on mudflats in Kent by a group of volunteers has been given protection.

The wreck was discovered at Tankerton Beach, near Whitstable, and measures over 12 metres long and five metres wide (40ft by 16ft).

It has been listed as a protected site by the culture department on the advice of government heritage agency Historic England because it is the only known surviving medieval wreck in southeast England.

Members of the local history and archaeology group Timescapes spotted timbers of the ship appearing out of the sand next to a lump of exploded concrete.

Image: The remnants will shed light on Tudor and early Stuart shipbuilding techniques

Mark Harrison, director of Timescapes, said: "Our group of volunteers was looking for exploded World War II pillboxes along the Kent coast.


"Adjacent to a lump of exploded concrete, we were amazed to see the timbers of a ship appearing out of the sand.

"We reported the find to Historic England and are pleased that what turned out to be a medieval wreck has been given protection and that this excavation could tell us more about its story."

Samples of the age of the wood revealed one oak plank comes from woodland in southern Britain and was felled in 1531, while other oak samples were tentatively dated to the 16th century.

Image: The vessel measures over 12 metres long and five metres wide (40ft by 16ft)

The hull's construction suggests it is a late 16th or early 17th century single-masted merchant ship of around 100 to 200 tons, Historic England said.

It is hoped an excavation of the wreck taking place this week will uncover evidence of the ship's cargo and personal effects belonging to the men who sailed in her.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "Many of the ships that Historic England protects are accessible only to divers but when the sands shift and the tide is right, visitors to Kent can catch a glimpse of this incredible wreck."

Heritage minister Michael Ellis added: "The Tankerton wreck is a marvellous discovery that will give us another opportunity to uncover more about what life at sea was like hundreds of years ago.

"It is important that we protect it to learn more about our impressive maritime history and ensure that it is preserved for future generations."