Tenterden, Market town in Ashford, England
Tenterden is a market town that spreads along a single main street lined with timber-framed houses and traditional oast buildings characteristic of the Kent region. The street runs for roughly a mile and a half, displaying typical English market town architecture throughout.
The town gained admission to the Cinque Ports Confederation in 1449, earning self-governing privileges in exchange for naval services to the Crown. This status shaped its growth as a prosperous trading center for centuries to follow.
St. Mildred's Church stands as the focal point of the town center with its medieval tower rising above the main street. The church grounds remain a gathering space where locals and visitors naturally pause to observe the historic stonework.
The town sits on the A28 with straightforward road connections to Maidstone and Ashford, plus regular bus services to surrounding areas. Walking the main street is easy to manage and requires just a couple of hours to see the principal sights.
The Kent & East Sussex Railway operates from here, running restored steam locomotives and period carriages through the countryside. Visitors can ride these heritage trains, making it a memorable experience that few other towns in the area offer.
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