Detling, Kent

Detling is a village perched on the slope of the North Downs in Kent, located along the historic Pilgrims’ Way, just four miles northeast of Maidstone. The village’s past is marked by its role in transport history, with the Cock Horse Inn once providing extra horses to help coaches and wagons ascend the steep Detling Hill.

A notable feature is the Grade I listed church dedicated to Martin of Tours, reflecting the village’s longstanding heritage. Nearby stands a Tudor gateway dating back to the reign of Henry VIII, offering a tangible link to the 16th century.

At the hilltop lies the site of a former airfield, which served as a Royal Navy Air Station during the First World War and an RAF station in the Second World War. This airfield endured several Luftwaffe bombings, with a memorial in the village commemorating those who served. Today, parts of the airfield have been repurposed for light industry, farming, and the Kent Showground, which hosts events such as the Kent County Show.

The village also features Jade’s Crossing, a footbridge opened in 2002 as a safety measure following a tragic accident. Detling Cricket Club plays on the Pilgrims’ Way, competing in the Kent Village League during the summer months.