Maidstone, Kent

Tucked away in the picturesque county of Kent, an area best known for its rich heritage and natural beauty, is the historic market town of West Malling. Surrounded by greenery but close to the larger towns of Maidstone and Sevenoaks, the town is ideally placed for those wanting a slice of the rural life without being too far from the modern amenities of more urban areas.

 

West Malling’s beautiful Georgian high street boasts a wide selection of shops, restaurants and pubs, whilst the bigger hubs of Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Royal Tunbridge Wells – offer even more shopping and dining options. History buffs will be impressed by the number of historical landmarks in the town, including the former home for those with leprosy, Prior’s House, and St Leonard’s Tower, the Norman keep built in 1080 by the same Bishop responsible for the Tower of London.

 

West Malling was the site of the first recorded cricket match in the UK and offers residents a choice of sporting facilities. Golfers can enjoy the six golf courses within close proximity of the town, whereas nearby Larkhill Sports Centre offers a large swimming pool and a diverse rota of exercise classes for those who like to be more active. Mote Park is only a 20-minute drive from West Malling and – consisting of 450 acres of historic parkland – provides a wide range of outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, horse riding and sailing.

 

There are a number of good schools in the local area, with West Malling C of E Primary and More Park R C Primary School both achieving ‘good’ Ofsted ratings in the town itself, and The Malling School in East Malling, and West Rotham School, five miles away, near Sevenoaks, providing good secondary education facilities. The University of Kent is consistently ranked amongst the top universities in the UK and is just over 16 miles east of West Malling, in Canterbury.

 

Residents of West Malling enjoy strong transport links to the surrounding area. Only 35 miles from central London, the town is within easy reach of the M20 and M25, providing good road access both into the capital and out to the coast. West Malling railway station offers a train journey of less than an hour to London Victoria, as well as much shorter journeys down to Maidstone and Ashford, making this the perfect destination for commuters wanting a home outside of the city but within a reasonable distance of the office. West Malling is also conveniently close to Gatwick airport, which, just 35 miles away, provides countless domestic and international travel options.