Westerham

As its name suggests, Westerham is as westerly as you can get in Kent before crossing the border into Surrey.

A stone’s throw from some of Kent’s finest countryside, and with Sevenoaks just 15 minutes away by car, it also happens to have easy access to the M25 and is close to Oxted station for a quick journey into London by train.

A small, scenic town with attractive architecture and a beautiful green at its heart, it nestles in the valley of the River Darent and is known as the ‘gateway to the Garden of England’.

Famous for centuries as a centre for the brewing industry, its huge Black Eagle Brewery closed in the 1960s. The Westerham Brewery company, established in 2004 but not originally based in the town, has only recently brought brewing back to Westerham with the opening of its new facility on Beggars Lane.

The town is also home to one of the jewels of the National Trust’s crown – Chartwell, the former home of Sir Winston Churchill.

But he isn’t the area’s only claim to fame. War hero General James Wolfe was born in Westerham and his childhood home is also open to the public. Nearby, Biggin Hill is famous for its airport.

One of the most important fighter stations during the war, Spitfires are still being restored and flown from the site thanks to the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.

Westerham may be relatively small for a town but it is affluent, as demonstrated by the selection of great clothing boutiques, homeware stores, cafés and restaurants. Popular with commuters who want to live in the countryside but remain close to London, it is a charming town with plenty to offer residents and visitors alike.

Article from Greatbritishlife.co.uk – 2017