Farningham
| Farningham | |
| Kent | |
|---|---|
 Village sign | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ5466 |
| Location: | 51°22’48"N, -0°13’12"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,289 (2001) |
| Post town: | Dartford |
| Postcode: | DA4 |
| Dialling code: | 01322 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Sevenoaks |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Sevenoaks |
Farningham is a village and parish in Kent located on the River Darent, south-west of Swanley. The parish forms part of Axstane Hundred.
It had a population of 1,289 as of 2001.[1] The M20 motorway and the A20 road both pass through the parish.
History
Farningham is believed to be home to Neolithic history – flint and other tools have been discovered and can be found in the Dartford Museum. The Romans occupied the general area after their invasion in the 1st century and, along with large evidence of habitation down the road in Lullingstone, there is also evidence of Roman habitation in Farningham. Three farmhouses and three villas have been unearthed. Charles Dickens was a visitor during his time for the trout fishing that the Darent provided.
In the nineteenth century Farningham was adopted as the assumed surname of Marianne Farningham, a religious writer and editor, who was born here.[2]
There used to be an airfield used by the RAF for emergency landings during the Great War.
The parish church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.
Transport
Farningham is served by several Kent bus services linking it with areas including Swanley, Dartford, West Kingsdown Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. The nearest rail link to the village is Farningham Road station.
Farningham is situated upon the historic route of the A20, Kent's second major road between the capital and the channel ports. The village itself, with its narrow bridge over the River Darenth, and its narrow streets, was bypassed to the north east in the 1930s. The A225 runs along the Darenth valley and intersects the A20 at the village. The construction of the first sections of the M25 motorway and M20 motorway in the late 1970s bypassed the village again.
Mills
Farningham had a watermill, powered by the River Darent, the building of which survives. There was a windmill at Chimham's Farm, which was moved in 1880 to West Kingsdown, where it still stands.
Sport
Home to Farningham Cricket Club along Horton Way the club has been in existence since 1857 providing cricketing facilities for the local community. Currently fielding two senior league Saturday teams and one Sunday friendly team along with a thriving junior section.
References
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Sevenoaks Retrieved 22 January 2010
- ↑
Hearn, Mary Anne (DNB12). Wikisource.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Farningham) |