It even has its own famous sausage!
(Image: Ian Taylor/Geograph)
In a county as varied and as breathtaking as Kent, determining which of our towns and villages are actually the best places to live is a real challenge. However, Muddy Stilettos has thrown its hat in the ring and listed its picks for the 10 ‘best places to live in Kent in 2024’.
While several destinations known far and wide for their brilliance made the cut, such as Tunbridge Wells, Folkestone and Faversham, others were a little more obscure. This includes the quaint village of Speldhurst which, despite being a perhaps lesser-known slice of Kent, managed to crack the top 10.
If a village that is steeped in history, has traditional pubs, beautiful country walks and a famous sausage sounds like your perfect day out, then you simply need to stop by Speldhurst this summer. Found three miles to the west of fellow ‘best places to live’ entrant Tunbridge Wells, the sleepy settlement has a population of just over 1,200, according to the latest census.
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Muddy Stilettos gave particular praise to the village for offering “the best of both worlds”. The publication explained: “Speldhurst is a lovely rural village, three miles to the west of Royal Tunbridge Wells so you have all the advantages of Tunbridge Wells virtually on your doorstep, with its shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, cinema and theatre.
“But equally you can enjoy country-living escapism in the other direction.” Clearly the reputation of Speldhurst is beginning to spread, as property prices here have grown considerably in recent years.
Rightmove notes that homes sold for an average of £948,862 over the past year. That’s four per cent higher than the 2020 peak of £908,133.
(Image: Chris Whippet/Wikimedia Commons)
While homes in the village may cost a pretty penny, you’ll certainly be getting a lot of bang for your buck should you choose to plant your roots here. One of its several claims to fame is that Speldhurst houses one of England’s oldest inns, which still operates to this day as a pub, cooking up a range of hearty meals.
The George and Dragon dates all the way back to 1212 AD and is an authentic rural pub complete with an open fire and exposed beams to give that traditional British inn feel. It provides ‘first class dining’ with a menu that features pub classics alongside more elaborate dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients that make this a delight for any taste pallet.
(Image: Google Maps)
With a huge outside seating area, a cosy and traditional interior, plus an extensive array of tipples to pick from, it’s no wonder the pub has received rave reviews. Taking to TripAdvisor to share their experience, one punter wrote alongside their five-star rating: “Could never recommend this place enough. The jewel in the village crown!”
For the keen foodies, this village is the birthplace of the Speldhurst sausage, which originated from Mr Lovett’s butcher shop in 1958. It has become a nationally-renowned product known for its high-quality and distinctive taste, and though now made over in the nearby village of Erige, the sausages can be found in the Speldhurst Village Shop.
Things to do
(Image: Will Evenden)
Speldhurst itself only houses the Village Shop and Post Office in Barden Road for those after a little retail therapy, which stocks a range of local treats, wines, cheeses, fruits, vegetables and baked goods. However, you can get yourself to the heart of Tunbridge Wells town centre with a quick 10-minute drive or a 15-minute bus journey.
Here you have plenty of fantastic retail outlets to pick from, such as the Georgian arcade of shops called The Pantiles just a short distance from Tunbridge Well Station. There’s also the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre with some more recognisable brands and chains on offer.
(Image: David Anstiss/Geograph)
For those looking to explore some local culture, there are the Trinity Theatre and the Assembly Hall Theatre, along with The Amelia Scott centre. Other nearby attractions include Dunorlan Park, just three miles to the south of Speldhurst, which features a boating lake, wildlife and a cafe.
Or, you can venture two miles north where you will find Penshurst Place and Gardens. This is a striking 14th century stately-home open to the public to explore that was, in fact, the ancestral home of Anne Boleyn.
On the other hand, those who like to keep active can take part in the outdoor climbing school found at Harrison’s Rocks in Groombridge. There is also the Kingdom cycling club in Penshurst and Ashdown Forest just a short drive away, which is perfect for a scenic walk.
Schools
(Image: N Chadwick/Geograph)
There are several nearby nurseries attached to independent schools. These include the Nursery at Holmewood House; Forest Explorers at Kent College Pembury; the Nursery at Sacred Heart Wadhurst; Little Fosse Nursery at Fosse Bank School; the Nursery at Hilden Grange School and the Pre-School at The Schools at Somerhill near Tonbridge.
The village itself also contains the Speldhurst Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Langton Road, which received an Outstanding rating on its most recent Ofsted report. Once again, the neighbouring towns of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge contain a range of highly-rated schools for girls and boys, both primary and secondary.
Culture
(Image: Getty Images/Mimi Van Praagh)
Speldhurst has a number of charming quirks that really make it a village that stands out. The annual Pram Race in May is a perfect example of this, which brings together people of all ages to race wonderfully decorated prams, attracting a great number of spectators.
During the summer holidays, the village also hosts ‘Tea on the Rec’ every Tuesday morning, transforming the pavilion at the local recreation grounds to an incredible pop-up cafe decorated with bunting, tables and chairs. Properties in and around Speldhurst can be breathtaking, from cosy cottages to great sprawling country piles, with many of the buildings dating to the 16th and 17th century.
The original mediaeval church that stood in the village was destroyed by lightning in 1791. Now, the Church of St Mary the Virgin stands in Speldhurst, dating back to 1870 and is included in the Wealden Church Trail.
Courtesy of Kent Live