The picturesque village of Appledore is located on the Kent-East Sussex border between Tenterden and New Romney, and is just as charming and pretty as it sounds. With its medieval houses, 14th century church, and vibrant village atmosphere, it’s no surprise that this little hidden Kentish gem is a favourite with potential property buyers and local tourists alike, who come here all year round to sample the local produce and cosy country pubs, attend the local events and festivals, and enjoy the stunning views.
Surrounded by fields and farmland and with a population of under 900, Appledore certainly feels very remote and off the beaten track – but the village is well connected to surrounding towns and villages – making it a popular choice with those who want the best of both worlds; an idyllic rural bolthole just a stone’s throw away from more bustling areas. There is regular bus service to Ashford, which is just 12 miles away and has plenty to offer in the way of restaurants, bars and other amenities, and the village also has its own train station on the Ashford to Hastings line.
If you’re looking to put down roots somewhere peaceful and tranquil, a place where you can enjoy your leisure time cycling, walking, bird-watching and fishing, then the Village of Appledore is your perfect location. It is surrounded by the equally pretty villages of Warehorne, Wittersham and Stone in Oxney, and is within close proximity of the popular coastal resorts of Rye and Camber, making Appledore the perfect base for families who want to enjoy woodland and nature walks, seaside trips, and hilltop views of the marsh – all while still being able to easily commute for work or leisure. The surrounding hills are home to ripe vineyards producing delicious English wines, including Gusbourne Estate and award-winning Chapel Down, and also Parkwood – an 80 acre area of woodland, and a favourite picnic spot of villagers. The area is noted for its springtime bluebells and nightingale population, as well as for the panoramic views over Appledore and the Romney Marsh. If woodland walks are your particular bag you’ll be pleased to know that there are three other woods in the area; Great Heron Wood, Little Heron Wood and Butness Wood – which is particularly appealing if you enjoy amusing-sounding place names!
But Appledore village is more than just beautiful countryside. There is a wonderful sense of community here among the friendly and welcoming residents, and the village has plenty to offer in the way of local amenities, activities and events. There is a village store for all your essentials, and a post office, as well as ‘Miss Mollet’s Tea Room’, a delightfully quaint place to stop for high afternoon tea. If you fancy something a little bit stronger take a walk to The Black Lion, a traditional English pub that is rich in history and serves real ales and locally sourced produce – with particular favourites being lamb and fresh fish.
If you buy a property in the village of Appledore and want to fully immerse yourself in village life (which we highly recommend!) be sure to attend the Appledore Village show and the Appledore Flower Festival. Themed every year, the festival features flower displays, stalls selling crafts, cakes and preserves, books, plants and local produce, live music and homemade refreshments – and entry is free. 2022 sees the return of the village’s Antiques and books fair, where you’ll be able to browse stalls of ceramics, glassware, artwork, mirrors, books, maps, postcards, militaria and more – not to mention cakes, bakes and jams! Again, entrance is free, and this is an all-day event that’s always looking for new antique dealers to take part – or indeed anyone who has antiques or books to sell. In July 2022 the village will welcome back the Appledore Vintage and Classic Vehicle Rally – one of the largest in the area, featuring over 450 exhibits and attracting over 4,000 visitors. As well as being able to ogle at gorgeous classic cars, there’s also an auto-jumble, stalls, refreshments, arena events and displays held throughout the day – such as dog agility shows and horse and cart rides – with all proceeds going to charity. It’s a tradition that the residents of Appledore are justly proud of, and if you decide to put down roots here you’re sure to want to get involved.
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