Tenterden

Tenterden is a town in the borough of Ashford. Tenterden Town Council’s website says it comments on planning applications submitted to Ashford Borough Council, and the website also says the council is made up of 16 elected councillors, while Ashford Borough Council’s 2023 election notices list four wards for the town council: Tenterden St Michael’s, Tenterden North, Tenterden South and Rolvenden and Tenterden West.

Historic England lists St Mildred’s Church at Grade I (list entry 1355024), and the entry notes that the church forms a group with the listed buildings on the north side of the High Street. Smallhythe Place, the National Trust property near the town, was the home of the actress Ellen Terry, and Historic England lists it at Grade II* (list entry 1071163).

The Kent and East Sussex Railway is a heritage railway between Tenterden Town and Bodiam, and its Tenterden Town station is on Station Road. The railway’s website says the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum at the station has no admission charge and welcomes donations, and that it opens on days when trains run. Tenterden and District Museum is also on Station Road, and its listings show an admission charge, so check the current price and opening times.

The Confederation of the Cinque Ports lists Tenterden among its member towns, and its limbs page lists Tenterden under Rye.

Getting there and around

Ashford Borough Council has a page on free parking in Ashford and Tenterden, so check it before you drive. National Rail’s journey planner shows the nearest station to your journey, and the railway’s own website shows its running days.