Welcome to Downswood
CLICK FOR 2021 CENSUS DATAIntroduction
Downswood is a civil parish in the Borough of Maidstone in Kent, England. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 2,291. It is bounded to the north by the River Len and Bearsted, and to the south by Otham, and is 2 miles (3 km) from Maidstone, the county town of Kent. Downswood has been a parish in its own right since 1987. Prior to this it was part of the civil parish of Otham.The village is to the east of the Maidstone urban area, with Mote Park forming the western boundary. A corn mill was recorded in the Domesday Book on the River Len. A fulling mill was also established on the river but this was not until around 1550. To the south of Downswood lies St Nicolas's Church which has its origins in the 12th century and to the east stands The Orchard Spot, a local public house, that was originally established in the 14th century as a farm house for local orchards.Between 1940 and 1970 the area was quarried for ragstone which is still evident from outcrops that appear in Spot Lane Nature Reserve and The Len Valley Walk. The easternmost ragstone quarry exhibits a series of cambered blocks, tilted down slope and intervening loess filled gulls. The site in Downswood provides the best cross section through a series of cambers and gulls that are currently visible in Britain and is a site of special scientific interest.
Parish Information
Parish statistics
Area |
37 hectares |
|---|---|
Population |
2,197 (2021) |
Density |
5,930 people/km2 |
Mean age |
35.4 |
Ward |
Downswood and Otham |
District |
Maidstone |
Postcodes |
ME15 |
ONS ID |
E04004952 |
Council
Contact details for Downswood Parish Council, including current councillors, precept data and election results.
Education
View educational establishments in Downswood Parish. Data includes OFSTED rating and current appointed governors.
Business
Business directory listing local businesses operating within Downswood Parish.
Planning
View recent planning applications submitted for Downswood Parish.
Property
Price paid data for all property sold in Downswood Parish since 2018. Includes average prices for each property type.
Heritage
Local heritage sites, historic churches, heritage pubs plus local heritage initiatives for Downswood Parish.
Local News
Hosted and licensed by Kent Online
‘They just want to feel their voice is heard’
Published: 2nd Nov 2023
Hosted and licensed by Kent Online
‘5G mast will knock thousands off price of my home’
Published: 21st May 2023
Hosted and licensed by Daily Mail
Homeowners' fury at plans for 50ft 'eyesore' 5G mast amid fears it will affect property prices
Published: 24th May 2023