Bethersden is a village and civil parish in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England, 5 miles (8 km) west of the town of Ashford. Located on the main road, A28, between Tenterden and Ashford.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2013)

Bethersden
St Margaret's Church
Bethersden Location within Kent
Area	26.1 km2 (10.1 sq mi)
Population	1,481 (Civil Parish 2011)[1]
• Density	57/km2 (150/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TQ927402
District	Ashford
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ASHFORD
Postcode district	TN26
Dialling code	01233
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
UK Parliament	Ashford
List of places UK England Kent 51.1290°N 0.7533°E / 51.1290; 0.7533

The village has an active community, including a small primary school, football team, cricket team and tennis club by the park.

Bethersden was formerly the centre of the Kentish wool trade.

Bethersden was the seat of the Lovelace family,[2] at what is now Lovelace Court, which included William Lovelace (MP), and the 17th-century poet Richard Lovelace.

The Bethersden Parish Records Society holds the original parish register, maps, books, photographs and other records relating to the village.

Bethersden Marble

Bethersden has long been associated with the material known as Bethersden Marble which was quarried until the 19th century and used in many of Kent's churches and cathedrals. The name 'marble' is misleading because it is a limestone packed with fossilized gastropod shells which polish well, hence the use of the term.

Churches

• St Margaret's Church, built in the early 15th century.
• Baptist church (Union Chapel).

Public Houses

The village has three public houses, The Bull, The George and The Pig & Sty. However, The George closed in 2020, see the website https://thegeorgebethersden.co.uk/.

Local Businesses

Several successful businesses have operated from the village: Stevenson Brothers, who produce high-quality handmade rocking horses; W & D Cole, who make iron gates and railings; and the former Colt Houses, who sold prefabricated timber homes.

Gallery

• 
  St Margaret - East window
• 
  The Oast, Lovelace Farm
• 
  Plurenden Manor Farm

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bethersden.

• Bethersden Parish Council website
• Bethersden page of Ashford Council web site

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