Located in the heart of the Kent countryside, Marden is quaint little village that offers some truly breathtaking views and great historical features making it one of the best places to visit and also a fantastic holiday location.
History
With an estimated population of 4000, this small village is situated within the Maidstone district in Kent and possess a long history that dates back to early Anglo Saxon settlement in the early twelfth century.
Historians have estimated that the original settlers of this area built a church long before the invasion of William Conquer in 1066. The current church which currently stands within the village is estimated to have been built before the thirteenth century by the monks of Lesnes Abbey.
Although originally Marden was an agricultural village, by 1331 under the leadership of King Edward III, weavers from the Flanders, Ghent began to settle in different areas of Kent, in particular Biddenden, Cranbrook, Tenterden as well as Marden. This increase in industry soon led these villages to become the centres of the Broadcloth manufacturing industry. The villages became renown for producing finely woven cloth which was in demanded throughout the country especially by the wealthier classes. Marden continued to prosper for the following 200 years, until the reign of Elizabeth I, who banned the exportation of unfinished cloth to foreign countries and since most of the cloth created in Marden was primarily exported aboard it saw the end of the Broadcloth industry.
With the end of the weaving industry Marden returned to its agricultural roots, however, the village never prospered as it once did and many of the population moved to other areas of the country.
Marden has produced some well known figures in the past such as political writer and poet Nicolas Amhurst (1697 – 1742) and more recently MP for Maidstone Helen Grant.
Marden Today
Today Marden has become a commuter village with approximately 20 per cent of its residents travelling to London for work. Marden has also become a very popular tourist spot, primarily due to the variety of different historical buildings and the beautiful countryside that surrounds the village. Some of the most notable historical buildings include the local Church, which dates back to before the thirteenth century and possess a great historical story. Also, the Hoppers Hospital, officially opened in 1924 to help treat any minor injuries suffered by the army of hop pickers who journeyed to Marsden each year. The building still stands today and is currently used as the village medical practice. Also within the village of Marden is the Jewell House which has a fantastic historical tale that involves a Russian girl and Rasputin.
While there are a number of great historical buildings with the Marden village, there are also a number of great historical sites which visitors should see. The most notable is the stocks, although at the time a very regular form of punishment throughout the country very few now remain which is why these stocks found in the village are a great place to visit. Situated outside of the Church, they are well maintained and can still be visited today, although they are now longer in use!
One of the best aspects of Marden is the scenic views, situated in the middle of rich farmlands, very few sights in England rival Marden on a summer’s day. And with a host of different shops, pubs and cafés Marden is one of the best places to visit in rural Kent.
