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Biddenden, Kent

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

A village famous as the birthplace of the Biddenden Maids, a pair of siamese twins who were joined at the hip and shoulder. Marie and Eliza Chulkhurst were born in Biddenden in 1100 and lived here to a respectable age (for that era) of 34. When they died they left 18 acres of land, the income from which was to provide an annual dole of bread and wine to the poor of the parish.


This 'Biddenden Dole' is distributed each year on Easter Monday, along with biscuits imprinted with a likeness of the Maids, to anyone who requests it. The Biddenden Maids were quite famous during their lifetimes, and are remembered in the village sign on the small, triangular green.

The village High Street is lined with some extremely attractive half-timbered medieval and Jacobean buildings, aligned on either side of a cobbled pavement. Many of these are old weavers cottages, as weaving was the core economic activity of this area of the Weald for many years. This clothing heritage is remembered in the impressive Cloth Hall, just north of the green.

The church of All Saints at Biddenden is mainly 13th and 14th century, with a collection of interesting memorial brasses.
Biddenden, Kent, England

About Biddenden
Attraction Type: Village
Location: The village of Biddenden is located on the A262, 5 miles east of Cranbrook
Location map
Biddenden Photos
OS TQ849382

Heritage Highlight: The 12th century Siamese twins called the Biddenden Maids are still remembered in the town sign, and the dole they established is still distributed annually
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information Photos

Nearest Attractions Sissinghurst Castle Garden - 2.9 miles (Garden) Smarden, St Michael the Archangel - 3.4 miles (Church) Kent and East Sussex Railway - 3.6 miles (Family) Tenterden and District Museum - 3.7 miles (Museum) Tenterden, St Mildred - 3.7 miles (Church) Hole Park - 3.7 miles (Garden) Rolvenden, St Mary the Virgin - 4.2 miles (Church) St George's, Benenden - 4.5 miles (Church)

Nearest Towns and Villages Smarden - 3.4 miles away Tenterden - 3.7 miles away Rolvenden - 4.2 miles away Benenden - 4.5 miles away Cranbrook - 5.1 miles away Pluckley - 6.5 miles away Newenden - 6.9 miles away Sutton Valence - 7.2 miles away

Photos of Biddenden

Half-timbered cottage

Half-timbered cottage 2

Biddenden High Street

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Nearest Accommodation to Biddenden

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

3 Malthouse Cottages - 12.5 miles from Biddenden Boughton Aluph, Kent Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £300

The Lodge - 16.4 miles from Biddenden Dallington, East Sussex Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £300

The Beach House - 16.4 miles from Biddenden Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £475

More Self Catering near Biddenden

Nearest Hotels

Little Silver Country Hotel - 2.7 miles from Biddenden Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £60.00

Best Western London Beach Country Hotel & Golf Club - 2.7 miles from Biddenden Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £75.00

White Lion - 3.8 miles from Biddenden Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £45.00

More Hotels near Biddenden

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Barclay Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast - 0.6 miles from Biddenden Biddenden, Kent From: £55.00

Bishopsdale Oast - 2 miles from Biddenden Biddenden, Kent From: £56.40

Elvey Farm - 6.3 miles from Biddenden Egerton, Kent From: £45.00

More bed and breakfasts near Biddenden

Tenterden
Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall
High Street
Tenterden
Kent
England
TN30 6AN
Tel: 01580 763 572
Fax: 01580 766 863
Email: tentic@ashford.gov.uk
Seasonal opening
Map