Known as the ‘Capital of the Weald’, Cranbrook is a handsome and historic town surrounded by gently rolling Kent countryside.

A medieval layout of streets and alleys is characterised by weather-boarded and oak-framed buildings in the classic Kentish vernacular, with many buildings dating from the 15th century and a high density of listed buildings. One of the town’s most prominent landmarks is Grade I listed windmill Union Mill, England’s tallest working smock mill, built in 1813.

Once a centre for clothweaving, Cranbrook remains a bustling market town with a surprisingly large number and variety of interesting shops, for everything from jewellery to fabrics and interior design, with visitors travelling a fair distance to shop here. When it comes to food and drink, there is an excellent selection in the area including the popular Greek restaurant Kypseli and sushi takeaway Oishii Sushi.

The town is in the heart of Kent’s High Weald area, which celebrates 40 years of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status next month. Surrounded by orchards and rolling farmland there are numerous footpaths, bike trails and bridleways through beautiful countryside, while the coast is also close at hand. There is an amazing selection of places to visit nearby, including several National Trust properties from stately homes to historic castles, including the world renowned garden of writer VitaSackville-West at Sissinghurst Castle and Garden, all within ten miles of the town.

The co-educational grammar school Cranbrook School is an important focus of life here and, togetherwith a wealth of state and independent schools in the vicinity, is a major draw for buyers moving to the area, along with the lifestyle on offer.

Beyond Cranbrook itself, the towns and villages of Goudhurst, Staplehurst, Frittenden, Benenden, Sandhurst, Hawkhurst and Tenterden are all very appealing, together with the sought-after coastal towns of Hythe, Rye and Sandwich, and the cathedral city of Canterbury further afield.

Slightly lesser known than popular Kent commuting towns Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook offers relative good value when compared to London and the Home Counties. A four bedroom new build home in the area costs around £650,000 while a period family home in a rural setting is closer to £1m. If you are looking for a bit of land of an annexe or swimming pool, you’d be looking at £1.7m upwards. Roughly speaking, homes within the Cranbrook School catchment area command a premium of around 10 per cent compared to those that fall outside.

Despite its feel of a semi-rural country village, Cranbrook is well connected: London is just over an hour away by train from Staplehurst, Marden and Headcorn stations, with fast and frequent commuter services, or via a high speed link from Ashford in about 37 minutes.

*Pictured: Mill House on The Hill, Cranbrook, is being marketed by Savills for a guide price of £950,000

Further information

Contact Sarah Hunt or Duncan Petrie