Barming - a little bit of history!

Barming is a civil parish in the Maidstone Borough of Kent, England. It lies to the west of Maidstone, the county town, and had a population of 2233 persons (2001 census). The eastern end of the parish is part of the built-up area of Maidstone, although the remainder is much more rural. The River Medway is the southern boundary of the parish.

Barming is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and was then described as being divided into East and West; the latter being known as Little Barming, and having its own church until the 16th century, now known as Barn Jet.

Barming railway station, on the line through Maidstone to Ashford, was opened with the line on 1 June 1874. Interesting to note that the station lies outside the parish of Barming. The A26 runs through the parish.

Landmarks and places of interest:

St Margaret's Church - A Norman period church with the characteristic triangle of east windows with a tower added in the perpendicular style. Among the many interesting items in the church and its grounds are three 14th century bench ends and a mounting block.

Church Cross House, South Street - Built in 1876 by Thomas William Carr (Rector) to serve such purposes of religion and parochial usefulness as may deem may deem fit.

War Memorial, Tonbridge Road - Erected to commemorate the dead of the 1914-1918 war, the names of those who died in the 1939-1945 war were then added. The memorial was erected on what remained of a small village green.

Wayside Cross, Junction of North Street and North Pole Road - Erected in memory of Horace William Fletcher who laid down his life in Palestine in the Great War.

Cuthberths Cottages (private), North Street - A medieval timber framed hall house, built as a farm house in the fourteenth century and extended at the back in early seventeenth century.

The Fountain Inn, Tonbridge Road - Built as a hostelry in 1837 serving farm workers and hop pickers. In 1890 horse traffic used it as a staging post and in 1904 a local terminus for trams.

The local school, Barming Primary School in Belmont Close and the local Post Office in Bull Orchard have an important part in village life, as does the village pub. Barming has several pubs that cater for most tastes and all welcome families. So whether it is live music, good cuisine or al fresco dining that you want - Barming has it all!

The Redstart, North Street - Family public house. Telephone: 01622 727001 Email: redstart@live.co.uk  Web:www.redstartpub.co.uk

The Bull Inn, Tonbridge Road - Family public house. Telephone: 01622 726468

The Victory, Farleigh Bridge - Family public house. Telephone: 01622 725591

*This page has been produced for the benefit of the residents and visitors to Barming and is intended to be a fair representation of the establishments listed. Barming Parish Council does not and will not receive any reward for producing this page and in the event any offence is caused will reserve the right to suspend some of all of the page without notice.

If you have any enquiries about Barming Parish Council, please contact Nicola Attwood, the Parish Clerk

 Email - barmingpc@googlemail.com

Address - c/o 15 Orbit Close, Walderslade Woods, Chatham, Kent ME5 9NF