Luddesdown Explained

Static Image Name:The_Cock_Inn,_Henley_Street_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1433332.jpg
Static Image Caption:The Cock Inn, Henley Street, Luddesd'n
Static Image 2 Name:St Peter and St Paul, Luddesdown, Kent - geograph.org.uk - 325606.jpg
Static Image 2 Caption:The Church of St Peter and St Paul
Country:England
Coordinates:51.373°N 0.4°W
Official Name:Luddesdown
Population:220
Population Ref:(2011)[1]
Civil Parish:Luddesdown
Shire District:Gravesham
Shire County:Kent
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Gravesham
Post Town:Gravesend
Postcode District:DA13
Postcode Area:DA
Os Grid Reference:TQ675665

Luddesdown is a village and civil parish in the Gravesham district of Kent, England. In 2011 the parish had a population of 220.

Geography

This very rural parish, forming part of the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is located in a dry valley to the south of Gravesend and is named after a scattered group of houses and farms around Luddesdown Court and its church next to it.

The civil parish also contains its main neighbourhood or street, Henley Street, and separate hamlets of Great Buckland (though split down the side with Snodland having essentially the Church) and Boughurst Street to the south; the valley narrows quickly the south to the appropriately named Buckland at the top of the dry valley floor. In this steep valley, facing west, is a vineyard, Monk's Vineyard; east are these woods: College, Haydown, Brazenden, Scrubes, Wrenches, Goss Hilly and Red Wood to the north east. Apart from this eastern edge, there are Fowles/Brimp, Luxon, Molehill, Freezelands, Round, Tom Loft's, Longfield and Henley Woods. These are part of the now long and narrow Rochester Forest, much of which would have been used for the chandlery/shipbuilding of the Medway towns.[2] Most afford access under the 2000 Act. There are two country public houses within the area.

History

Luddesdown is first recorded in 975 as Hludes duna (Hlud's hill); in 1186 it was Ludesdon and in 1610 Luddesdowne. It is pronounced Ludsdun. In 939 there was a mound nearby called Hludes beorh - suggesting that Hlud was a prominent citizen.[3]

The church, originally belonging to the local manor, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul has only II* listing status;[4] it is part of the ecclesiastical parish of Cobham to the north. The church school now operates as a village hall.

The small Norman Chapel of Dode, now just inside Snodland parish, was also associated with Luddesdown. Dode village was ravaged by the Black Death in 1349; it never recovered and was erased from the map. The Chapel was restored in the 1990s and is an approved premise to conduct civil ceremonies such as weddings.[5] It is on the W side of the minor road S of Great Buckland.

Luddesdown was a parish in Strood Rural District, though local tax levels were set and services were also provided by Kent County Council prior to 1974.

The Court itself is early mediæval and was the residence of William the Conqueror’s half-brother until 1082. Some sources indicate that it may be "the oldest continually occupied house in the country".[6] Other sources state that the oldest is actually Saltford Manor House in Saltford, Somerset, near Bath. The Court property is Grade I listed for its (inter alia) oak beam supported hall with 10 windows, five to each side, with flint and stone dressing of the whole building. It has wall paintings to the lower chamber and 16th and 19th century extensions. There is a 14th-century fireplace.

Sport and Leisure

The parish also contains a picturesque cricket club, founded in 1947, Luddesdowne CC.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil Parish population 2011. 30 September 2015.
  2. Matthews, Brian (1971) The History of Strood Rural District, Strood Rural District Council.
  3. Glover, Judith (1976) The Place Names of Kent London: B.T. Batsford Ltd.,
  4. http://www.cobham-luddesdowne.org/buildings/luddesdowne-church/ Luddesdown church
  5. http://www.dodevillage.com/ The Lost Village Of Dode
  6. Web site: ‘The oldest house in England’, once lived in by William the Conqueror’s brother, is up for sale. 20 May 2018. Country Life . 3 May 2024.
  7. http://www.luddesdownecc.co.uk/ Luddesdowne CC