Weald Villages Through Time

Charing, Westwell, Hothfield, Little Chart, Pluckley, Smarden. This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which these Weald Villages have changed over the last century. The Weald of Kent is a famously beautiful part of England and there are some extremely attractive villages between it and the North Downs. Charing was an important staging point where archbishops, kings and travellers broke their journeys to and from London. The sleepy village of Westwell is north of the A20, which now runs into the outskirts of Ashford where we find the Hare and Hounds at Potters Corner. Nearby, the wonderful gardens of Godinton Park still welcome visitors today. Hothfield, with its wild common, has altered the most over the last century while the village of Little Chart shows the impact of the Industrial Revolution. The picturesque village of Pluckley's many old buildings give credence to its reputation as the most haunted village in England. At the heart of the Weald, Smarden seems almost untouched by the passing of more than 300 years. Join Kaye Sowden on a tour of these beautiful villages, showcasing their fascinating past.