Smarden, Kent

Smarden is a historic village and civil parish located west of Ashford in Kent, South East England. Known for its Anglican parish church of St Michael the Archangel, the building is often called “The Barn of Kent” due to its distinctive high scissor beam roof. The village covers an area of 21.8 square kilometres and had a population of 1,301 according to the 2011 census.

The village’s origins date back to at least 1205, with evidence of early iron smelting and prehistoric flint tools found in the area. Smarden prospered in the medieval period, especially after King Edward III encouraged the local woollen industry by bringing over Flemish weavers. This led to the granting of a Royal Charter in 1333, allowing a weekly market and annual fair, elevating Smarden’s status to a town. Elizabeth I later ratified this charter in 1576.

Several fine houses from the 15th and 16th centuries remain, including the Cloth Hall, a timber hall house built in 1430 that served as a warehouse for the cloth industry. Jubilee House, dating from around 1772, is a Grade II listed building. During the Second World War, some houses were used to accommodate evacuees from London.

The village is drained by the headwaters of the River Medway and River Stour, with seasonal streams flowing through the area. Smarden offers a selection of family-friendly pubs, including The Flying Horse, The Bell, and The Chequers, alongside smaller establishments like Maltmans Hill and Haffenden Quarter. Notable past residents include author Mervyn Peake and mountaineer John Baptist Lucius Noel.