The parish of Benenden is in the heart of the Kent countryside. At the centre of the village is the primary school. However the quaint school buildings on the village green are to be replaced. The information on the proposed sites can be seen at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's web site. From that link all the maps and consultation documents are downloadable - the period for comment on the proposed sites has finished and the village is keenly debating the options. (See the section containing the Parish Council minutes for some of the discussion)

Part of Benenden's History A commemorative book "The Schools on Benenden Green 1609-2009", written especially for the 400th anniversary of the primary school is now available.
Information is available from the primary school web site

The main part of the village is focussed around the green where cricket is played in the summer months and is bounded by the St George's Church, the village school, the gloriously fronted memorial hall, and the Bull public house.

The parish includes Iden Green, East End, Standen Street and Dingleden.

Ernest Pollard and Hazel Strouts have written a major piece of work about the village - 'Benenden Landscape' - read more about it and get a free copy from this site by clicking here. You can also find 4 walks around Benenden described on that same page.

Click to see more

As recorded in Michael Davies' splendid and extensive 'Benenden - A Pictorial History' the village was one of the few places in the area known as the Weald (of Kent) that was named in the Domesday book. Benenden has largely escaped the development sprawl that has overtaken many a local village and is fortunate in retaining a number of small independent shops and thriving pubs

A number of regular events fill the Benenden year including the fete in June the Iden Green BBQ and Rounders competition (click here for some photos). For more information available from local web sites click the links on the left hand side.

Some Benenden events from years gone past ......