Ashford.gov.uk - Westwell

Westwell

Westwell is a delightful unspoilt rural village in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the foot of the Westwell Downs, the highest part of which is called the Beacon after the chain of beacons erected to signal the approach of the Spanish Armada. Westwell was first mentioned in AD 858 in a Saxon document and was included in the Domesday Book. A weekly market was held here under a licence granted by Edward I, there was a park during Edward II's time and later a vineyard tended by monks (recalled by one of the cottages in the village named 'Vineyards').

The centre of the village is a Conservation Area with many mature trees and Listed Buildings, including Court Lodge (the oldest part of which is said to be connected to an ancient monastery or the church), Swinford Cottage, Periton Court and The Mill House (with its water wheel still in working order). Among many other buildings of interest in the parish are Ripple Court (where it is alleged that Jack Cade was captured and used to house the local dungeons) and The Haven - pronounced 'harven' - a Tudor residence where Elizabeth I is believed to have spent one night.

The inn sign 'The Wheel' has one spoke which was painted green by the New Zealand Army during the Second World War, the remainder being white.

Westwell is close to major routes to Canterbury and London. The Pilgrims' Way runs close to the village on the Downs and was travelled by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury and now the M20 and Channel Tunnel Rail Link pass through the parish.

Facilities

Anglican (Parish) Church
Public House
Recreation Ground with Children's Play Area
Riding School
Village Hall

Organisations

Gardening Club
Keep Fit
Dance Socials
Westwell Players
WI
Church Groups (eg Mother & Toddler)

Population (2001 Census)

Population	Number of People in Westwell	% of People in Westwell	Number of People in Ashford Borough	% of People in Ashford Borough
0-4	40	6%	6,421	6%
5-11	80	11%	9,972	10%
12-18	47	7%	9,021	9%
19-59	390	54%	55,439	54%
60+	163	23%	21,700	21%
Total	720		102,553

Households (2001 Census)

Households	Number of Households in Westwell	% of Households in Westwell	Number of Households in Ashford Borough	% of Households in Ashford Borough
Total Households	280		41,450
One Person Households	47	17%	10,323	25%
Lone Parent Households	21	8%	3,207	8%
Other Households	212	76%	27,920	67%
Average Household Size	2.64		2.44