Headcorn, Kent

Headcorn is a village and civil parish in Kent, located on the floodplain of the River Beult, about eight miles southeast of Maidstone. The village lies along the A274 road to Tenterden and features a parish church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, alongside Baptist and Roman Catholic churches.

Nearby, Headcorn Aerodrome hosts an aviation museum and the only skydiving club in Kent, the Headcorn Parachute Club, known for national champions and world-record holders. The village is served by Headcorn railway station on the Kent Downs line, connecting London and Dover since 1842.

Archaeological finds reveal Headcorn’s long history, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Paleolithic era. Excavations have uncovered Iron Age and Roman remains, including iron smelting sites and a small cemetery. The village’s name may derive from a tree-trunk footbridge linked to a man called Hydeca, with early records mentioning a church at Hedekaruna.

Historic buildings abound, including the Grade I listed parish church and several medieval timber-framed houses in Church Walk and the High Street. The site of the former Moatenden Priory, dating from the 13th century, lies off Maidstone Road, surrounded by a moat and fishponds.

Headcorn played a role in transport history, with coach services running through the village before the arrival of the railway. The aerodrome served as an advanced landing ground during World War II and now supports flying schools and the Air Cadets. The village also has a notable LGBTQIA+ history, with The Magic Farm disco at Hazelpits farm gaining a following in the late 20th century.