The significant Howletts Anglo-Saxon cemetery is in the parish. It is regarded as "Jutish"; finds are in the British Museum and elsewhere, and include two of the very rare quoit brooches. The manor of Littlebourne belonged to St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury and the abbot maintained a vineyard there according to Canterbury MP and antiquarian John Twyne in his De Rebus Albionicis.
The vinicultural theme is reflected in the parish church's unusual dedication to St Vincent of Saragossa, patron saint of winemakers. The church is in all regards consistent to have been founded by the monks of St Augustine's, which oral history attests, in the 13th century and contains a medieval wall painting depicting Saint Christopher, patron saint of travellers.
The present barn in Littlebourne dates from circa 1340. It stands on land owned at that time by St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury. Although reduced in length from its original size, it is still 172ft long and 76ft wide and is one of the largest and oldest aisled barns still standing in the country.
Having been in continuous agricultural use from its earliest beginnings until the 1960s, the Littlebourne Barn and the surrounding land was acquired by Canterbury City Council in 1991, in order to preserve the building and to make it available to the public.
The Littlebourne Barn is open during the English Heritage National Open Days and at various other times during the year. The local volunteer committee also organise tours, events, art shows and craft fairs.
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