Godmersham
7 Miles North East for Ashford & 8 Miles South West of Canterbury
Chilham Train Station 3 Miles
Chartham Train Station 3 Miles
Godmersham is a well connected small village set back from the busy A28 Ashford to Canterbury Road that runs alongside the railway line through the Great Stour valley. Ashford is 7 miles to the south east and Canterbury 8 miles to the north west. The nearest rail stations are Chilham - 2.5 miles and Wye 3.3 miles, both on the Ashford-Canterbury line.
The large area of Kings Wood which is accessible to the public is spread over the higher ground to the west and wooded eastern slopes of the Stour valley rise up in the east. The parish area of Godmersham extends over both sides and includes the small village of Bilting to the south. The North Downs way runs along the high ground edge of Kings Wood to the west with frequent glimpses of Canterbury cathedral to the north west - Stour Valley Walk runs through woods on the east side ridge.
Why Live in Godmersham?
Godmersham Park is a historic house made famous by Jane Austen, whose brother Edward Austen inherited it from a distant cousin in 1794, and changed his name to Knight, his cousin’s surname. Jane Austen visited often between 1798 and 1813 and wrote much of Mansfield Park there based on local characters. The house has been added to and restored over the years. The present grade 1 listing is based on the restoration by the Tritton family who owned it for 50 years from 1935. It is now owned by the Sunley family company and on a long lease to the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. There is a Heritage Centre for Godmersham and Crundale in the Godmersham Estate that is open to the public.