What’s going for it? It’s not often the answer to “Why?” is why. Or, in this case, Wye. Why Wye? Why not? This pretty, medieval village-cum-town lounges in the Great Stour valley, a quiet, off-the-beaten-track cleft cut into the quiet, off-the-beaten-track Kentish North Downs, between Canterbury and Ashford (in its heyday – 1345 or so – the track round here was beaten to billyo, Kent having been the M1 of an era before modern ships, trains and planes, and the main line to Europe). Some lesser newspaper once voted Wye the third best place to live in the country; it starred in a TV show called the Perfect Village. It lives up to the hype. But it is not alone. The valley is dotted with beautiful towns and villages that were once medieval service stations, resting spots for travellers, teeming with hubbub, but quiet today. There’s Challock, Chartham and Charing, with its crumbling archbishop’s palace. I’m a Chilham man myself; there’s no more peaceful spot in the nation than this hilltop village’s square, birdsong tooting, surrounded by black-and-white cottages, orchards and oasts. Beats Watford Gap.
The case against Slightly out of the way. There is a community pulse, but towns and villages are small and quiet – until the commuters get home.
Well connected? Not bad. Trains: there are stations at Wye, Chilham and Chartham; from Wye it’s half-hourly to Canterbury (15 mins) and Ashford (6 mins), and hourly to London Charing Cross (90 mins), Victoria (105 mins) and half-hourly to St Pancras (60 mins). Driving: the M2 and the M20, and Canterbury and Ashford, are at either end of the valley; London is 90 mins, the coast 30 mins.
Schools Primaries: Chilham St Mary’s C of E and Charing C of E are “good”, says Ofsted; Challock and Lady Joanna Thornhill’s in Wye are “outstanding”. Secondaries: to Canterbury or Ashford with you; Canterbury’s Simon Langton Grammar for Boys (mixed 6th form) and Barton Court Grammar; and Ashford’s Highworth Grammar (girls) are all “outstanding”.
Hang out at… You won’t want for lovely old pubs. King of the boozers is the Granville, Lower Hardres, sibling of the lauded Sportsman, Seasalter.
Where to buy Pick a village. Think medieval cottages and manors, barn conversions and oast houses, and in Wye and Charing, everything from Georgian to 60s. Detacheds, £220,000-£1m. Town houses, £400,000-£700,000. Semis, £180,000-£480,000. Terraces and cottages, £165,000-£300,000. Rentals: one-bed flat, £575-£675pcm; three-bed house, £825-£1,100pcm.
Bargain of the week Two-bed, weatherboarded cottage close to the station in Charing, £175,000, with stevenjmooreestateagents.co.uk.
From the streets
Ann Chaplin “The Dering Arms in Pluckley is the best eatery hereabouts for excellent fish or bunny stew. Or try the Old Mill in Ashford or the Swan & Dog in Great Chart.”
John Tradnor “There’s a great farmers’ market in Wye, with bread, cakes, jams, organic meats, fresh fish and locally made cheeses. Well worth a look.”
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