Idyllic village near London named one of the UK’s prettiest – but has major drawback

The charming village of Goudhurst in Kent is a sight to behold, with its unique uphill high street leading to a stunning church at the summit. It’s no wonder that the included it in their list of top ten most picturesque villages. Boasting an idyllic beauty worthy of a postcard, Goudhurst is nestled amidst quintessential Kentish countryside.

Located in the Weald of Kent, it’s a mere 10 miles from Tunbridge Wells and five miles from the market town of Cranbrook. Goudhurst also has a rich and intriguing history, including tales of local farmers bravely confronting a notorious smuggling gang in a gunfight outside St Mary’s Church. However, Goudhurst grapples with severe traffic issues, a result of modern vehicles overwhelming its centuries-old road network – but more on that later.

The village is dotted with period properties, among which the magnificent 14th-century timber-framed Star and Eagle restaurant stands out, looking like a scene straight off a jigsaw puzzle box.

The village flourished in the 1330s when Flemish weavers expanded from Cranbrook, establishing the Kentish broadcloth industry – evidence of this can be seen in the weavers’ cottages opposite the church.

And if you happen to enjoy a pint while visiting Goudhurst, raise a toast to the weavers. Their preference for hopped beer over traditional ale led to the creation of the Kentish hop industry, transforming the agricultural landscape around the village and providing numerous jobs in the area.

Goudhurst is a village with its own unique charm, having hosted burly Morris Men adorned in skirts, plaits and stripy stockings, and even serving as the annual Christmas party venue for Page 3 girls, thanks to a resident photographer.

The Sunday Times painted a picturesque image of Goudhurst, perched “atop a densely wooded hill”. The publication highlighted the village church, historically referred to as “the chapel on the hill”, which dates back to 1170.

Its tower, once used as a surveying point in the 18th century to measure the distance between the Royal Greenwich Observatory and Paris Observatory, reportedly offers such sweeping views that locals claim one can spot 50 church spires and even France on a clear day.

For those looking for a place to stay, the paper suggested the Star and Eagle for those wanting to be “at the heart of the action”, or for a more peaceful retreat, the National Trust’s Scotney West Lodge House, located at the entrance to Scotney Castle.

As for dining options, it recommended: “The Star and Eagle is a 14th-century pub believed to have been a monastery before becoming the headquarters for the infamous Hawkshurst Gang. It has since transformed into a restaurant rather than a pub, so if you’re after a pint accompanied by good food and a charming garden, make your way towards Cranbrook for the Goudhurst Inn, owned by the local Balfour Winery.”

The article delves into the history region’s dark past, with particular focus on the infamous Hawkhurst Gang from the 18th century. Recounting their exploits, it says: “Named after their Kentish base, 10 minutes’ drive south of Goudhurst, they carried out such violent raids that some Goudhurst farmers formed a small militia and defeated the gang in an audacious gun battle outside St Mary’s Church in 1747.”

However, the present issue plaguing Goudhurst is traffic congestion. The village struggles with significant traffic problems, exacerbated by a particularly treacherous double bend on the A262 often leading to chaos when larger vehicles, especially HGVs, become lodged.

Just a few years ago, residents identified traffic as the primary concern for the village.

The village maintains its medieval road design, with slight alterations dating back to the late 1700s, and these narrow thoroughfares are ill-equipped to handle modern traffic both in terms of volume and vehicle dimensions. A troubling neighbourhood survey revealed that a staggering 90% of local inhabitants reported feeling unsafe while walking, cycling, or horseback riding on the main roads within the parish.

The Goudhurst Neighbourhood Plan, published in January 2022, paints a vivid picture of the problem, stating: “Traffic queues form regularly throughout the day in the High Street in Goudhurst, extending to Church Road, West Road and the B2079, when large vehicles (HGVs) have difficulty negotiating the tight bends in front of the church and the parked cars on West Road.

“The resulting congestion brings the traffic at the Plain to a standstill. The static traffic causes pollution from engine noise and exhaust fumes outside residential properties and commercial properties serving food.302. Damage has regularly been caused to the Churchyard wall by long vehicles attempting to turn the tight bend at the top of the High Street.

“The queueing vehicles also make it difficult for pedestrians, especially the elderly, people with restricted mobility and those with young children in prams and pushchairs, to negotiate the High Street.”

Goudhurst boasts an abundance of olde worlde charm, with a history that includes dramatic history such as a public hanging, all worthy of exploration before visiting. Scattered around this picturesque village are stunning attractions like Sissinghurst Castle, Scotney Castle, and Bedgebury Pinetum, each waiting to be discovered.