Kemsing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kemsing |
|
|---|---|
 Church of St Mary |
|
 Kemsing
|
|
| Population | 4,014 (2001) 4,218 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | TQ545591 |
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Sevenoaks |
| Postcode district | TN15 |
| Dialling code | 01732 and 01959 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Kemsing is a village in Kent, England. It is located in the Sevenoaks district. The village sits on the North Downs hills. Kemsing is about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Central London. It is also about 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Sevenoaks.
The area around Kemsing includes two small communities. These are Heaverham, which is 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east, and Noah's Ark, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the south. In 2011, about 4,218 people lived in Kemsing.
Contents
History of Kemsing Village
Kemsing has a long and interesting history. It was the birthplace of Saint Edith of Wilton. She was a daughter of the Anglo-Saxon King Edgar I. Edith was born between the years 961 and 964.
Saint Edith's Well and Church
A special well in the village centre is named after Saint Edith. A plaque on its wall tells a local story. It says that Edith's presence made the water have healing powers. Even with this strong connection to St. Edith, the village church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. This church has roots going back to Saxon times.
Pilgrims' Way Connection
Another local story says that the knights who killed Archbishop Thomas Becket rode through Kemsing. They were on their way to find him in Canterbury. After Becket became a saint, Kemsing became a stop on the Pilgrims' Way. This was a famous route where pilgrims traveled to visit his shrine at Canterbury Cathedral.
Royal and Noble Ties
Kemsing was once owned by kings and important noble families. King Henry II held the lordship of Kemsing. Later, it was owned by the Earl of Pembroke. The manor then passed through other noble families.
In the time of King Edward IV, Kemsing was sold to Sir Geoffry Boleyn. He was the father of Anne Boleyn, who later became queen. The land eventually returned to the crown. For a short time, Anne of Cleves owned it. Then, Elizabeth I gave it to Sir Henry Carey. Finally, the Duke of Dorset acquired it.
Historic Village Centre
The old part of Kemsing village is around the well. Here you can find the war memorial from 1921. There are also charming old cottages. St. Edith's Hall, built in 1911, is another important building. It has a statue of Saint Edith on the front. A clock on the hall chimes the hours. It has a special message:
'Tis mine
Each passing hour to tell.
'Tis thine
To use it ill or well.
Women's Institute and World War I
The first Women's Institute in Kent opened in Kemsing in December 1915. During World War I, St Edith's Hall was used as a hospital. Volunteers from the Kent Voluntary Aid Detachment worked there. Wounded soldiers from the war front were sent back to England. Kemsing's hall was one of many places in southeast England that helped during the war.
Village Shops and Services
Kemsing has several main roads where you can find local businesses. These include High Street, St Edith's Road, West End, Dynes Road, and Childsbridge Lane.
Shops and Eateries
Along West End, there is a car repair garage. You can also find a convenience store and a chemist. On High Street, there is a vet's office and St. Edith's Social Club. St Edith's Road has a tearoom. At the end of Dynes Road, there is a newsagent and another convenience store. You can also find a hairdressers and three takeaway restaurants there. These include Chinese, Indian, and fish and chips. This area is known as Dynes Parade.
Past and Present Pubs
High Street used to have two pubs: The Bell and The Wheatsheaf. They were directly across from each other. In 2011, The Wheatsheaf had a big fire. This left The Bell as the only pub in the village. The Wheatsheaf was taken down in 2012. Three new homes were built in its place. Further east, in Heaverham, you can find another pub called The Chequers.
Transport Links
Kemsing railway station is about 1 mile (2 km) southeast of the village. The M26 motorway also passes through the area. The part of Kemsing between the motorway and the station is called Noah's Ark. Kemsing is also a key stop on the North Downs Way. This walking path runs north of the village along the top of the Downs hills.
Natural Environment
Kemsing village is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means the area has special natural scenery that is protected.
Kemsing Down Reserve
Above the Pilgrims Way on the North Downs is Kemsing Down Reserve. Kemsing Parish Council and Sevenoaks District Council manage this reserve. You can reach it from Childsbridge Lane. It is an area of chalk grassland, which is a unique type of habitat.
Sports and Recreation
East of the village is a large open space called The Common Field. This field is used for playing cricket and football. There is also the Sir Mark Collet Sports Pavilion. It has courts for tennis and squash.
Cricket Club History
The cricket club in Kemsing has likely been around since the early 1900s. Matches were played near the current site before World War I. Sir Mark Collet gave The Common Field to the parish in October 1923. Football and cricket have been played there ever since. The current pavilion was built in 1987. A new cricket pitch was also laid then, and it has been used since that time. Kemsing also has a boxing club that takes part in local boxing events.
Well Dressing Tradition
In 2011, the tradition of well dressing started in Kemsing. Well dressing is an old custom where wells or springs are decorated with pictures made from natural materials. The well dressing in 2014 (shown below) remembered World War I.
Images for kids
-
Church of St Mary
-
Clock at St Edith's Hall
-
Kemsing Well Dressing 2014
See also
In Spanish: Kemsing para niños
