Local Area
About Sutton Valence
Sutton Valence is a village about five miles (8 km) SE of Maidstone, Kent, England on the A274 road going south to Headcorn and Tenterden. It boasts stunning views from the Greensand Ridge overlooking the Vale of Kent and Weald.
Education
In addition to also Sutton Valence Primary School, there is also Sutton Valence School, an independent school located in the village with a swimming pool used by the primary school children. Secondary schooling for most of the pupils is in Maidstone which has a wide range of schools to suit all abilities.
St Mary's Church
The church in the village is St Mary’s church which is part of a parish comprising East Sutton, Chart Sutton to the west and the nearby Headcorn. In 1825 an earlier church was rebuilt, the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers contributing towards the rebuilding.
Sutton Valence Castle
The site of a large 13th century castle, once owned by Simon de Monfort, is on the east side of the modern village. Only the ruined keep remains which is managed by English Heritage and is always open to be visited for free.
Village pubs
The two remaining pubs, The King's Head, the Queen's Head, are both in the High Street. The Queen’s Head Oddfellows society operates of the pub and raises money for local causes. https://qhof.org/
Public transport
The nearest railway station to the village is Headcorn, on the South Eastern Main Line to the Kent Coast and the Channel Tunnel via Ashford, and to London via Staplehurst, Paddock Wood and Tonbridge. The journey from Headcorn to London Bridge station or Charing Cross takes about one hour. There are bus links to Maidstone in the north & Tenterden in the south.
Sport & social activities
Sutton Valence Village Hockey Club is an active club which uses the school facilities for its matches. There is a golf club.in the village, The Ridge, and one at the bottom of the hill. In addition, there is a tennis club, an active choral society, and a horticultural society.
Health
There is a joint practice surgery in the village with two sites.