St. Mary's Abbey, Malling Abbey, was founded as a community of Benedictine nuns in c1090 by the Norman monk-bishop Gundulf of Rochester. After its dissolution by Henry VIII, it passed into secular ownership. In the late 19th Century the Abbey was restored to its original purpose by a charitable trust founded by Charlotte Boyd. Since 1916 the community has resided in this historic place of prayer and gratefully entered into its heritage of peace and God-centred quiet. It hosts tours as part of Heritage Open Days and music concerts as part of the Music@Malling Festival.