This historic Village, dominated by St Margaret’s Church with its stunning 15th Century Tower, is well known for formerly producing Bethersden Marble and was once the centre of the Kentish Wool Trade. The Church contains some fascinating memorials including reference to Bethersden’s most famous family, the Lovelaces. Lovelace Place in Bethersden was the birthplace of the 17th Century poet Richard Lovelace. Several other successful businesses have operated from the Village including the Stevenson Brothers, who produce high quality hand made Rocking Horses owned by several members of the Royal Family and the great and good world wide. W & D Cole, are also well respected for making iron gates and railings. With a population of around 1,300, Bethersden has a variety of amenities including a small Primary School, Post Office, Village Stores, Butchers, three Country Inns, a Village Hall and a Recreation Ground. The Village has a Football and Cricket team too. Also, the picturesque and historically interesting Villages of Smarden and Pluckley are equidistant. Both are delightful.
For a more comprehensive range of shopping facilities, the nearby Town of Ashford (approximately 6.1 miles) has many national chain stores and a large, much praised Designer Outlet. The attractive and popular tourist Town of Tenterden is also nearby (approximately 6.5 miles) with its delightful and contrasting elegant Georgian Houses. Tenterden provides a good variety of shops along its tree-lined High Street including a Waitrose Supermarket. The Town also has a variety of excellent Restaurants, friendly Country Inns and fascinating Antique Shops all within walking distance of each other.
For commuting purposes, the nearest Mainline Station is at Pluckley (approximately 4.6 miles) with Rail Services into Central London. Slightly further afield is Headcorn Station (approx 8.3 miles) which from a convenience point of view is close to several useful shops including a branch of Sainsbury’s. The new fast link to London from Ashford International only takes 38 minutes and is persuading the "smart money" into this area, taking advantage of the excellent house prices, educational choice and the quality of life. Ashford International also provides Rail Links to Europe. The A28 will take you to Junction 9 of the M20 Motorway which offers Road Links to the south coast and the M25 leading to London, Lakeside, Bluewater, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted Airport and Kent International Airport at Manston. Once the M20 has been accessed, one can connect onto the full UK Motorway Network. The Eurotunnel, accessed via Exit 11a on the M20, provides an excellent Train Service for motorists wishing to travel over to Calais in their cars in a journey time of approximately 35 minutes.
Kent is renowned for the quality, choice and commitment to excellence of its Educational System in both the Public and Private sector. Noteworthy Schools in the area include - Ashford, Homewood House in Tenterden, Friars, Dulwich, Kings, St Edmunds, Sutton Valence, St Ronan’s, Marlborough House, Benenden School, and Bethersden Primary School to name but a few.
