Thurnham, Kent Explained

Static Image Name:Thurnham Friars - geograph.org.uk - 777989.jpg
Static Image Caption:Thurnham Friars
Country:England
Official Name:Thurnham
Coordinates:51.2914°N 0.5897°W
Population:1,207
Population Ref:(2011)[1]
Civil Parish:Thurnham
Shire District:Maidstone
Shire County:Kent
Region:South East England
Constituency Westminster:Faversham and Mid Kent
Post Town:MAIDSTONE
Postcode District:ME14
Postcode Area:ME
Dial Code:01622
Os Grid Reference:TQ805579

Thurnham is a village and civil parish which lies at the foot of the North Downs 3miles north east of Maidstone in the Borough of Maidstone and ceremonial county of Kent in England. It had a population of 1,085 in 2001 including Weavering,[2] which increased to 1,205 following the 2011 Census.[1]

There have been several archaeological finds in the area: an Anglo-Saxon burial ground was discovered within the grounds of Thurnham Friars in 1913, a 7th-century gold cross was found in 1967 and the remains of a Roman house were excavated in 1933. The remains of Thurnham Castle are just north of the village. Two miles further north are the fragmentary remains of Binbury Castle, a medieval fortified manor house beside a medieval motte.

St Mary's church (a Norman building) and Milgate House are Grade I listed buildings.

The railway station at Bearsted, opened on 1 July 1884, was originally named Bearsted and Thurnham. Residents of the village joined forces with the neighbouring village of Bearsted, in voicing their objections to the proposed Kent International Gateway development.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil Parish population 2011. 15 September 2016. Office for National Statistics . Neighbourhood Statistics.
  2. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/viewFullDataset.do?instanceSelection=03070&productId=779&$ph=60_61&datasetInstanceId=3070&startColumn=1&numberOfColumns=8&containerAreaId=790429 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Maidstone