Bearsted Area Guide

If you’re looking for a village home with easy access to nearby towns, a property in Bearsted ticks all the boxes. Located just a short drive from Maidstone, Bearsted is a small village with a train station and excellent road links that mean you’re never too far from essential amenities.

Welcome to Bearsted

With its beautiful village green and several listed properties, Bearsted is a rural gem in the heart of Kent. Sporting facilities are plentiful, including three golf clubs, a cricket club and a lawn tennis club. Residents also love the scenic countryside and historic attractions on the doorstep, including Maidstone's Mote Park, just a short drive away.

Why property in Bearsted is popular with families

Bearsted is ideal for families who want peaceful surroundings close to nearby towns. The area features some excellent schools, including Roseacre, Thurnham, St Johns and Madginford primaries. For older kids, there's Invicta Girls' Grammar, Maidstone Grammar School and Valley Park School for students aged 11 to 18. Local higher education institutions include Mid Kent College, St Luke’s Adult Education Centre and the European School of Osteopathy.

Getting around in Bearsted

Bearsted train station offers direct services to London Victoria every 30 minutes. With a journey time of just one hour eight minutes, it’s ideal for day trips and commuting. You’ll also find frequent trains to Ashford International. Maidstone East, Maidstone West and Hollingbourne railway stations are also within easy reach of the village.

A short history of Bearsted

Property in Bearsted was historically centred around its village green and its 13th century Holy Cross Church, which still stands today. Situated just south of the Pilgrims’ Way path followed by devotees travelling to Canterbury, the village expanded as local employment boomed in the 19th century. Its railway station was opened in 1884 as part of the extension of the line from Maidstone to Ashford.

Landmarks in and around Bearsted

Bearsted lies just three miles away from Leeds Castle, a medieval fortress sometimes described as the loveliest castle in the world. Other highlights in the surrounding area include walking routes along the North Downs and Pilgrims’ Way, while the Bearsted Woodland Trust, which has a walk-in centre in the heart of the village, maintains woodlands and meadows around the village which provide excellent routes for walking, picnics and cycling.

Dining out in Bearsted

Close to urban and rural attractions, property in Bearsted benefits from several excellent drinking and dining establishments in the local area. There are several highly-rated pubs in and around the village, including the Rose Inn, White Horse Pub and the Earlybird in nearby Maidstone. When it comes to eating out, Oak On The Green serves a delicious mix of Mexican and British dishes, while the Cavendish Tea Rooms are the perfect spot for coffee and cake.