Shipbourne
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
| Shipbourne | |
|---|---|
| Administration | |
| Borough: | Tonbridge & Malling |
| County: | Kent |
| Region: | South East England |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Kent |
| Traditional County: | Kent |
| Postal County: | Kent |
Shipbourne (pronounced 'Shibbun') is located four miles north of Tonbridge in Kent, and is one of the parish councils in Tonbridge and Malling borough. It is a fairly scattered village, situated around Shipbourne Common, described as a 'most distinctive landscape feature ... a large domed open space in the centre of the main Conservation Area': an area equally designated as a Special Landscape Area; and with much of the village designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is located at the foot of the greensand ridge in an area known as The Weald.
Famous residents
The Fairlawne Estate, which stretched into neighbouring Plaxtol was, in Stuart times owned by Sir Henry Vane, Secretary of State to Charles I: his son was to become a Governor of Massachusetts in 1635. One of the Vane family employee's sons wrote a 700 blank verse poem about hop-growing.
The Vane family were followed by the Cazalets. In 1880, Edward Cazalet built the church, dedicated to St Giles, a public house named The Chaser, and several of the cottages which surround the Common. Major Peter Cazalet was trainer of horses owned by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Many Cazelets are commemorated in the church.
External links
- http://www.shipbourne.org.uk/ the village website
