We moved here because we loved the location and the fact that, although we have the advantage of four double bedrooms, it still feels a cosy, warm and friendly house. It is also quiet and peaceful, with the only sound at night being the resident owl, yet we are not isolated. We love having the fields opposite and being able to walk through orchards to the local village pubs including the Halfway House in Brenchley and the Hopbine in Petteridge.

Brenchley is as popular with commuters today as it was 200 years ago when the ‘Flower of Kent’ stagecoach galloped back and forth from London to Brenchley three times a week in 1823. The historic high street is made up of half timbered, tile hung white weatherboarding houses with some dating back to the 1200s including the Old Palace that now houses the local post office and stationers. There is a good primary school, the award-winning Grays café and ‘cakery,’ and the characterful Little Bull that serves amazing breakfasts and brunches, while the Halfway House is a quintessential village pub that has won the CAMRA Best West Kent Pub for more than 20 years and offers excellent ales and hearty pub food. An avenue of 400 year old yew trees provide an impressive entrance to the Grade 1 Listed church and you can stroll around the delightful village green or enjoy Brenchley Woods, which are ideal for walks with the dog, cycling or horse riding. Nearby Matfield is a friendly place with another village green, two pubs, a butcher’s shop and the village hall with a post office and regular activities.

The nearest station to the cottage is Paddock Wood which is about three miles away and where trains to London take between 40 minutes and an hour. The town also includes high street stores, individual shops, bars, and restaurants as well as two primary schools and a good secondary school. Tunbridge Wells provides excellent additional educational facilities including a number of primary and secondary schools rated Outstanding by Ofsted including St James and St Peters’ C of E primary schools and secondary schools including Bennett Memorial Diocesan School, the St Gregory’s Catholic School as well as Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School and Skinners Grammar School. Claremont primary has also been judged Outstanding in various categories. You will also find excellent private schools in the area including Rosehill, The Mead, Kent College, Holmewood House and Beechwood prep and secondary school as well as the historic Tonbridge School.