Rolvenden Layne, Kent

To presume that the hamlet of Rolvenden Layne plays second fiddle to its larger near neighbour Rolvenden is to underestimate a community that can stand very much on its own.

During the Great Plague of 1665 the main village of Rolvenden was entirely burnt down (aside from the church and pub, suggesting the act was intentional to try and eradicate the disease) and the population moved a mile south to the Layne, where then only a manor house stood.

Houses were erected in this new location and people spent many years here before some returned back to Rolvenden to rebuild, whilst other remained – creating two distinct locations.

Today, Rolvenden Layne is a spacious and pleasant place, benefiting from an area of public park just off the road that is perfect for a quick game of football or to allow the children to let off steam.

The main attraction is the excellent Ewe and Lamb pub, which is famed for not only its friendly welcome but the outstanding beer garden which, due to its position, gets the sun from dawn utill dusk.

If you’ve visited Rolvenden or Hole Park and needed somewhere to eat then you might consider Rolvenden Layne to be your exclusive secret, away from the masses up in the main village!

The Layne has one other surprising secret. Frog Lane was named many, many years ago, but a resident who lives there reliably informs us that at night, especially in summer, the place is notable for the loud and distinctive sound of … frogs.