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9 Of The Best Villages To Live Near Rochester

Posted 12 January 2017 by Helen Christie

WhatHouse? takes a look at some of the best villages to consider living near Rochester...

Rochester is on the banks of the River Medway and this historic town has a wealth of reasons to be considered as one of the top places to choose to live in Kent with its combination of amenities, picturesque location and connectivity.

Lockdown has led to major changes in house-hunters’ top priorities in what makes the best new home. A new property in the countryside has become more appealing for people with less reliance on commuting and for those wishing for more space inside and out, the budget can also go a lot further outside a town or city.

If you’re looking for the best new homes for sale in Kent, Rochester and the surrounding area are a top place to start your search.

Higham

Between them, the ‘old’ and ‘new’ parts of the village provide a great range of shops and amenities and there are regular rail services on the route between Rainham and St Alban’s via central London. Gad’s Hill is a well-respected independent school and Higham Primary School has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Rochester and the M2 and both under ten minutes away.

Halling

Halling is five miles from Rochester in the heart of the North Downs and on the slopes of the Medway Valley. The village has a post office and convenience store of its own as well as pubs, an active community centre and a primary school rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The railway station provides services on the branch line between Tonbridge and Strood – both these larger town offer direct services to the city, countryside and coast. It’s just five minutes to the M2 and M20.

Burham

Burham is a pretty village on the slopes of the North Downs, five miles south of Rochester. Voted Kent Village of the Year in 2008, Burham is home to around 1,300 people. Inhabited since Roman times, Burham now has a vibrant village scene. A plus for young families, Burham Church of England Primary School has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Cliffe

Cliffe is an historic village situated six miles north of Rochester on the Hoo Peninsular, overlooking the Thames marshes. The pretty High Street is lined with many white weather-boarded homes and more recent Victorian additions. It provides some great things right on the doorstep, with a medical practice, social club, bowling green, equestrian centre among others.

Aylesford

Aylesford is a delightful Kent located seven miles downstream of Rochester. Railway services to London via High Speed connection at Strood take just under an hour, and Kent's county town of Maidstone is a few miles away via the A20 or M20 motorway. Along with a great collection of shops, activities, amenities and places to eat and drink, there’s the bonus of St Peter's Church of England Primary School, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

Grain

The Isle of Grain is a small community at the very tip of the Hoo Peninsula, around 25 minutes’ drive to Rochester, where the Medway and Thames rivers meet. With a population of under 2,000, the village has a post office, primary school (‘Good’ Ofsted rating), village hall and a small number of shops.

Cuxton

Cuxton is a small village in the Medway Valley, four miles west of Rochester and on the railway branch line between Tonbridge and Strood. Many local groups and associations ensure a busy social life in the village, with a small parade of shops, popular ‘Good’-rated primary school, and a church at the heart of village life. Cuxton sits within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Hoo St Werburgh

Hoo St Werburgh is a large village five miles north-east of Rochester. Its residents enjoy a wide range of village amenities, including shops, a bank, mini-supermarket, primary and secondary schools (‘Good’ Ofsted ratings), pubs and village halls. Its location adjacent to the River Medway makes it popular with walkers and visitors. 15 minutes by road can get you to Rochester, Strood railway station and the M2.

Upnor

Upnor is a delightful waterside hamlet, three miles north-east of Rochester. With its smaller neighbour, Lower Upnor, the village is home to many pleasure yachts. Upnor Castle is built out into the river and was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I as a gun fort to defend her naval base at Chatham. The pretty, narrow cobbled high street leads down from the castle and is lined with well-kept homes leading to the waterfront.

 

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