Introduction to Fawkham

Introduction to Fawkham

photo showing a welcome to Fawkham sign

Fawkham is a rural parish in North West Kent, within Sevenoaks District, and is entirely within the Green Belt. The Parish has a small green, behind which stands The Rising Sun Inn, a Norman church, a village hall, farms, two primary schools, livery yards, a saddlery & feed barn, a sports club, and a hotel with a spa. The Parish’s main lane winds some three miles down a picturesque dry chalk valley and villagers benefit from access to several bluebell woods, many of which are Ancient Woodland. The parish church of St Mary’s dates back to the 12th century and there is an annual village fete, with dog show, held in its grounds. The Parish has 13 Listed buildings.

Fawkham is defined as a hamlet by Sevenoaks District Council, with a population of 429. There is no discernible centre, although clusters of buildings occur near the Church/junction with Castle Hill, around the village green and public house at the junction with Fawkham Green Road; and around the primary school and village hall. There are around 230 houses.

Fawkham is approximately 8 miles (13 km) from Gravesend, 8 miles (13 km) from Dartford and 12 miles (20 km) from Sevenoaks. It is on the northern edge of Sevenoaks district, adjoining its border with Dartford district, south of the village of Longfield. The village is not far from the M25 (junction 3), M20, A2  and the A20, although access is via rural lanes.

The Parish is not served by a bus route, although there is a limited bus service from Longfield and New Ash Green, connecting to Dartford and Gravesend. Longfield is the nearest train station, about 1.5 miles away, and the journey time to London Victoria is about 30 or 50 minutes. Longfield is a large village with a Waitrose, a Co-op, a branch of Nationwide, a vet surgery, and many independent traders including a butchers, a bakers, a florist and a hardware shop, plus several hairdressers/barbers, take-aways and cafes. Sadly, there are no longer any shops in Fawkham.

Bluewater shopping centre and the high speed service at Ebbsfleet International are both just a 15 minute drive away.  The market town of Sevenoaks is a twenty five minute drive down the A225. Brands Hatch race circuit is just outside the parish boundary, and some villagers qualify for free annual passes to events. The parish is also home to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Brands Hatch.

Here’s a map of the parish.