8 of the best villages near Tenterden, Kent
The ancient Cinque Port town of Tenderden sits in the beautiful Weald of Kent, fifty-seven miles from Central London. Tenterden's thriving High Street is one of the most attractive in Kent, lined with a wide range of independent traders, well known brands, historic buildings, pubs and fine restaurants. There are also a number of excellent golf courses, fisheries, rides, walks and cycle paths in the area and the villages surrounding the town offer a wide selection of Michelin standard restaurants.
Biddenden
Biddenden is a delightful English village set in the heart of Kent's wine-growing countryside, five miles from Tenterden. The village has a wide range of pubs and eateries, including two Michelin standard restaurants, West House in the High Street and The Three Chimneys in Hareplain Road. Sporting enthusiasts among the 2,600 villagers can chose from the local squash club, bowls club, tennis club and Chart Hills Golf Club, or take a stroll around the 27 acre Millennium Field that adjoins Biddenden Recreation Ground.
Sissinghurst
The pretty village of Sissinghurst is located eight miles from Tenterden. Dominated by the beautiful Sissinghurst Castle and gardens, the village is located on the A262 road, surrounded by farmland. Famous residents include TV personality Ian Hislop. The main street through the village is lined with traditional red-brick cottages, and is home to the Michelin starred Rankins restaurant. The village also boasts a grocery store, post office, church and primary school.
Woodchurch
Woodchurch is small village four miles east of Tenterden. Overlooked by a restored windmill, the village lies on the edge of the Weald of Kent overlooking Romney Marsh to the south-east. The village has developed over the years along two main roads, Front Road and Lower Road, and at its heart lays the village green and village hall. Visitor attractions here include the South of England Rare Breeds Centre and Woodchurch Village Life Museum.
Smallhythe
Smallhythe is a hamlet three miles from Tenterden. A busy 15th century shipbuilding port on the Rother estuary, the docks closed in due to silting up and quays and warehouses were destroyed by fire in 1514. Smallhythe Place, once home of actress Ellen Terry, has stood since the late 15th Century when it was built as the Port House. Today, the hamlet has a few dozen homes, mainly situated along the B2082.
Benenden
Benenden is a small village five miles west of Tenterden. Typically Kentish in style, this pretty village sits on a rolling, wooded landscape with a school and village hall at its heart. Benenden is home to Benenden Girls School, whose former pupils include Princess Anne, and Benenden Hospital, formally a chest hospital funded by trade unions and friendly societies in 1907. The village green is home to the local cricket club.
Rolvenden
The small village of Rolvenden is situated on the A28 Ashford to Hastings. Its white boarded houses are typical of many villages near Tenterden. Rolvenden also boasts a restored windmill, Norman church, village hall and village shop. A farmers' market adds to the rural feel of this pretty little village, which also has a school, post office, newsagent and pub.
Appledore
With a population of around 800, Appledore is a quiet village six miles south east of Tenterden on the B2080 road. The village is popular with commuters, boasting its own railway station with links to Ashford International. Nearby Park Wood is a local attraction for visitors, as are the vineyards at Gusbourne Estate on the Kenardington road.
Wittersham
Wittersham is a beautiful little village on the B2082 road. Its main attractions are the Stocks Mill, a white weatherboarded windmill and the award winning Swan public house. A weekly community market at the village hall is popular with the 1,200 villagers and many visitors to the area. This lively village centre has a selection of shops, including a post office, church and village school, and homes of a variety of architectural styles including converted oast houses line The Street.
Here are some of the latest new builds in Tenterden