Towns and Villages

This is a lesser known North Downs village but I can tell you there are some real property gems in this locality and some stunning countryside.

I always think this is one of the better equipped villages within reach of Ashford with a good range of facilities and a popular primary school.

I always admire the lovely valley views when I drive through this village and the Marquis is definitely worth a drink and a bite to eat.

This is one of those places you go and visit for the afternoon. A very pretty main street full of charming houses and great local amenities.

I've lived in the Ashford area all my life and watched the town develop. Excellent transport links have brought real change over recent years as modern businesses have invested in the area. And we still have easy access to the coast and countryside.

I love driving through the Elham valley and when you get to Barham there’s a great village store run by local volunteers.

This is one of those tucked away East Sussex villages surrounded by beautiful countryside and woodland.

It is really easy to see the charms of Benenden and the community shop is such a great asset.

Be aware that you will spend more than you mean to if you go to Marchants Butcher & Deli. The rest of the village is pretty good too; a village shop, pubs, tennis club and a cricket club at which I made my debut last season (scored 2!).

My favourite stop for a Chinese takeaway or a top quality dinner at the West House if I am feeling flush.

I always glance at the memorial obelisk as I pass through and descend past the pretty church down to the canal and Romney Marsh beyond.

Just below the village of Aldington but the secret here is it’s great proximity to the Royal Military Canal and Romney Marsh beyond.

I was drawn to this village many moons ago with it’s cricket on the green and popular Flying Horse pub surrounded by pretty cottages.

Eastwell Manor is a must visit in this village, recently taken over by Champneys, I can recommend the Spa and Hotel for perfect countryside breaks.

This village always proves popular with families as it has a great school, lovely walks and I can highly recommend the friendly Five Bells Inn.

Brenzett lies just outside of New Romney and has it’s own primary school and is also home to the Romney Marsh Wartime collection with the remains of wartime aircraft – always worth a visit.

I might be biased but this village is such a peaceful spot just below the North Downs and really close to Wye which is handy.

For me it’s always the church with the steeple on the ground that reminds me that Brookland is such a pretty village.

I’ve often cycled through this Romney Marsh village with it’s pretty church and friendly pub.

Our family loves Camber. Long walks on the sand dunes in the winter with the dogs. Paddling and flying kites in the summer with the kids. And chips and a good cuppa from the Kit Kat Cafe just yards from the waves lapping on the beach.

Apart from it’s excellent primary school, Challock is famous for it’s ancient Kings Wood (around 588 hectares) which I love to go walking in, especially in the Spring when the bluebells are out as they are stunning.

A village with a station is always popular but Charing has so much more besides.

It’s easy to forget that Chartham not only has a station connecting with Canterbury and Ashford, but a riverside cycle path to the city.

I have some very early memories of trips to the Castle and who can resist a village with a square.

In the fold of the North Downs and not far from Wye I tend to regard this pretty village off the beaten track as a secret.

Dymchurch is a unique place and very popular for its wide open spaces, sea fishing, walks, pubs and fishmongers where the fish are as fresh as you are ever likely to find.

Arguably one of the most popular villages in it’s locality I always enjoy my visits.

This is something of a jewel nestled in the valley and I love a village with a choice of pubs and a pretty square.

I have fond memories of walking with the family on the Firehills, just up from Fairlight. The sea views are amazing.

The time I’ve spent in this town is never wasted, I always find something new to do and a walk along the creek and out to the coast is reason enough to visit.

What a great combination, a really pretty village and so close to Ashford with all it’s amenities,

Hamstreet has masses going for it - station, primary school, shops, tennis courts, a great Indian restaurant and only about 15 minutes from the coast. I think it's going to become more and more popular as time goes by.

The beautiful North Downs are right on your doorstep here.

High up on the North Downs with a pub to quench your thirst, it doesn’t get any better than that!

Is it a town? Is it a village? Whatever it is, I’ve always thought that it has lots to offer including a Waitrose and a Kino cinema.

A village with great facilities on the Canterbury side of Folkestone, two of my favourite destinations.

The draw of Headcorn has tended to be the station and the regular services to London, but I think there are some charming shops on the High Street.

I have often thought that High Halden should win the ‘Most Improved Village’ award if there is such a thing. It has a great village shop and the pub is now really popular.

Easily overlooked, but a really convenient place to live especially for walking my dog on the common.

I’ve known this town all of my life and I always think of it as a place where the countryside meets the sea.

The village centres around the Bell Inn and the large church with a surprising number of community activities, I love the open Romney Marsh surrounding countryside.

Just outside the village is the Gusbourne Estate where from time to time I have been found tasting their excellent wines (and you can picnic in the grounds).

I look upon Kennington as a large village - it's a very attractive area and one of the leafiest parts of the town.

So close to Ashford it’s easy to forget that this is a pretty village at it’s heart.

I have always thought the market square in Lenham to be utterly charming.

I’ve often thought that this is the entrance to The Weald of Kent from the Ashford direction, seek out the cricket green at Little Chart Forstal and you’ll know what I mean.

The most southerly town in Kent with many pretty houses, I always take a look at the church as I pass through known as ‘The Cathedral of the Marsh’.

I regard this as one of the most useful villages to live in the Elham Valley but easy to miss if you don’t get to know it.

I tell people to take time and get to know Lympne because there are many hidden surprises here such as the medieval castle, a very pretty church and of course the zoo park.

I grew up on a farm in Mersham. It has a great primary school and excellent sports club and has always had a brilliant community spirit.

A good spot on the North Downs between Challock and Chilham, great for access to Canterbury, Faversham and Ashford.

One of the 5 Cinque Ports in case you didn’t know and some real historic heritage to this likeable bustling town.

I grew up with the Romney Marsh and this village always feels like the centre of this peaceful, big sky landscape.

I can honestly say there are not many other villages so conveniently placed for access to the Channel Tunnel and well worth exploring too just below the North Downs.

My guilty pleasure is stopping off at Will’s Bakery & Café between appointments.

For a small village it must have the best village store; Jempsons Supermarket who I have always found do things properly.

Full of character and a pleasure to live in this village so close to Canterbury and in the Grammar schools catchment.

It’s no wonder the village has been used in filming of several television series. It really does typify ‘The Garden of England’.

My friend Jess (who lives in the village) is always extolling the virtues of Rolvenden. It seems to have a really good community spirit.

Another village close to the Royal Military Canal ideal for dog walking and access to the Romney Marsh.

Whenever I go to Rye I feel a bit like I am on holiday. It is achingly pretty with great pubs restaurants and a brilliant cinema.

The nature reserve is a great place to walk the dog (or kids) especially in the winter.

I have always thought the ‘real’ Sandhurst a charming place with very pretty Kentish houses.

I’ve always thought that Sellindge is one of the more convenient villages to live in the area.

Think apple orchards and undulating North Downs countryside with the added benefit of a station.

Shadoxhurst is in a genuinely rural area but is just minutes from Ashford, the shops and the High Speed Line. Property often represents very good value for money too.

I love the village cricket green here and the pretty church, Faversham on the doorstep too .

There is a good reason why many describe Smarden as one of the prettiest villages in Kent, and that is because it is.

I always regard Brabourne and Smeeth as one and the same, certainly the amenities and access to the countryside are great here.

A village which sometimes feels like part of Tenterden - it certainly shares the convenience and charm.

From many parts of this North Downs village I’ve seen the Swale coastline in the distance as it’s one of the highest points in Kent I believe.

Friends who live in this village have done so for many years so perfectly placed for travel connections and the Drum Inn is worth dropping in to.

I can’t imagine anything more enjoyable than rambling across the 124 acres of Minnis that makes this village to the south of Canterbury so popular.

There is nothing nicer than enjoying a sundowner on the terrace at the front of The Ferry. Bliss.

I’ve spent a little too much time at the Tiger Inn over the years! and the undulating countryside which envelopes this delightful village is breathtaking.

I love working in our Tenterden office. The high street has retained its old market town atmosphere. There's still a good selection of independent shops and some great pubs. The schools have excellent reputations too.

Throwley and the Forstal of the same name occupy one of the finest parts of the North Downs with plenty of undulation in the countryside.

I regularly cycle through this village on my way to Canterbury and admire the pretty houses and lovely views.

The village is really off the beaten path, but it has one of my favourite pubs, The Woolpack.

A gem of a village surprisingly not very far from Ashford and tucked just under the North Downs.

Another one of Ashford’s villages sharing all of the benefits of the town but with a village feel in some parts.

There is so much history in Winchelsea. The tour of the town's 33 accessible medieval cellars looks fascinating.

Living here you are equidistant between Rye and Tenterden, giving you a great choice of amenities.

At the centre of Woodchurch is a picture-perfect green, village hall, primary school and a couple of welcoming pubs. It's a very popular and sociable village.

On my list of hidden North Downs villages but actually very convenient being not far from the A2.

I spend a lot of time in Wye, either taking the kids to school or visiting friends. There’s always such a buzz about the village.