Adisham, Kent

Adisham is a small village and civil parish in Kent, located six miles south-east of Canterbury along the B2046 road. The village, once known as Edesham in the Domesday Book, lies near the central cluster of Aylesham and is situated on a historic route that formed part of the Pilgrims’ Way, famously featured in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales. In 2010, local residents successfully defended public access to this ancient path after a landowner attempted to restrict walkers.

The village church, dedicated to the Holy Innocents, dates back to the late 12th century, offering a glimpse into Adisham’s medieval past.

A notable landmark is the Grade II listed Woodlands Road water tower, constructed in 1903.

Historically, Adisham was home to John Reynolds, an agricultural pioneer who introduced the Swedish turnip to England, and Master John Bland, a Protestant minister martyred in 1555 during Queen Mary I’s reign. The village maintains a quiet charm rooted in its rich history and rural setting.