Westwell

Settlement in Kent Ashford

England

Westwell

Fields and railway line from M20 Credit: Colin Pyle

Westwell is a small village located in the county of Kent, England. Situated about 5 miles north of Ashford, it falls within the borough of Ashford and the civil parish of Westwell. The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is known for its picturesque views and tranquil atmosphere.

The heart of Westwell is its village green, which is a focal point for community activities and events. The green is bordered by charming historic buildings, including the 12th-century Church of St. Mary the Virgin, which is a Grade I listed structure. This ancient church features stunning architecture and is a significant landmark in the village.

Westwell has a close-knit community and a friendly atmosphere. It is home to a population of around 600 residents, who enjoy a peaceful rural lifestyle. The village has a primary school, providing education for local children, and a traditional village pub, The Wheel Inn, which offers a warm welcome to visitors.

The surrounding area is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities for countryside walks and cycling. Westwell Leacon Nature Reserve is nearby, offering a haven for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. The village is also conveniently located near major road networks, providing easy access to nearby towns and cities.

Westwell is a charming village that offers a perfect balance of rural living and accessibility. Its rich history, natural beauty, and strong sense of community make it an idyllic place to reside or visit in the heart of the Kent countryside.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Westwell Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.190434/0.84515633 or Grid Reference TQ9847. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Fields and railway line from M20

Colin Pyle

Watery Lane in 1987

This was taken one day after "The Great Storm" that swept in during the night of 15-16 October 1987 to devastate large swathes of Southern England.

John Baker

M20 railway-bridge carries CTRL

The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) has paralleled the motorway to the north for many miles but now it crosses the M20 and diverges south into Ashford. Visible underneath and beyond that bridge another carries the local railway line from Ashford to Charing.

Stuart Logan

Church of St Mary, Westwell, Kent

Showing the 15th century porch and the tower with its brooch spire.

Paul Harrop

Stained glass, St Mary, Westwell, Kent

Window on the north side of the church

Paul Harrop

North Downs Way, near Westwell, Kent

Part of the 153-mile national trail as it passes to the north of Westwell.

Paul Harrop

The Wheel Inn, Westwell, Kent

Pub on the crossroads at the centre of the village; the Old School House in the background

Paul Harrop

Light in the sanctuary, St Mary's Westwell

Looking towards the north wall of the sanctuary at the church's eastern end.

Paul Harrop

The church of St. Mary the Virgin, Westwell

Grade I listed building dating from the 13th century. The chancel is separated from the nave by a screen of 3 trefoil headed arches.

pam fray

Carving in the church of St. Mary, Westwell

This is a 13th century carving of a king, believed to be that of Henry III.

pam fray

Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Westwell

The 13th century font is of Purbeck marble and was recovered from a farmyard.

pam fray

South aisle of St. Mary's Church, Westwell

Wooden buttresses support the outward thrust of the south arcade of the nave. The aisle has a collar beam and crown post roof.

pam fray

Westwell, Kent

The village sign on the green and The Wheel Inn, a Shepherd Neame public house.

pam fray

Approaching Westwell from the west

The houses on the right were built as council houses. Some, if not all, have been bought by the former tenants. The third house from the right was undergoing extensive rebuilding - the roof structure of an extension can be seen. The village was originally called Wells, due to the number of springs.

John Baker

The green at Westwell

Across the green, part of the Wheel Inn can be seen. The Shepherd Neame sign TQ9847 : The Wheel Inn, Westwell hanging on the side of the pub is of a cartwheel, recalling St Catherine who was martyred bound to a wheel. To the left of the pub is the steeple of St Mary's church.

John Baker

The Mill at Westwell

This is a former watermill - the wheel is on the other side of the building. When I first knew the mill in the early 1970s, Mr J Hotchkiss had restored the wheel to a working order but it was stationary when I took this photo. The road to the right of the building ascends a hill to Dunn Street.

John Baker