Bearsted is an ancient Village and civil parish with a population of approximately 10,000 located in mid-Kent, 3 miles from Maidstone and 17 miles from Ashford. The centre of Bearsted still retains its traditional Village lookand boasts excellent Country Inns including The Old Plantation, The Rose Inn and 'Souffle'on the Green. The Parish Church is dedicated to the Holy Cross and on three corners of its tower are stone beasts. Many books on Kent describe the animals on the tower as bears, and say the name "Bearsted" is derived from these. Amenities include a Post Office, Newsagents, Off License, Doctors' Surgery, Dentist Surgery, Chemist, a Bakers, Butchers, and a Petrol Station. Village Clubs include Tennis, Bowls, Scouts and Guides and Bearsted also boasts the renowned Marriott Tudor Park Hotel, Golf Club and Country Club.

The Village has its own Mainline Railway Station with Services into Central London. More frequent Services run from nearby Maidstone which also has a more comprehensive range of Shopping and Leisure facilities. The M20 provides easy access to London and the South Coast.

Local Schools of note include: Madgingfold Park Primary School, Sutton Valence, Dulwich Prep, Tonbridge, Kent College, Maidstone Girls and Boys Grammar and Invicta Grammar.