The last decade has seen the town go from strength to strength, including significant investment in residential developments and a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme welcoming a new leisure quarter with a hotel, cinema, restaurants and cafes to the town centre.
Stock up on what you need on the high street and the Forum shopping centre, with a mix of chain stores and independent shops, or take a short walk to the retail park for some big-name brands.
Built along the old Roman route of Watling Street, Sittingbourne is located halfway between London and Dover. It originally got its name from the small stream or ‘bourne’ that runs underground in part of the town, and was also mentioned in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
The industrial revolution and 19th century saw the town rapidly expand to produce bricks from local clay – and it’s been thriving ever since.
If you’re thinking of moving to Sittingbourne or the surrounding area, you’ll have a huge choice of great places to live. Find a brand new home in one of the large new residential developments or take your pick from the large choice of Victorian town houses, or family homes built more recently.
You’ll find more period-style properties on the edges of Sittingbourne and its pretty surrounding villages, and the area’s farming heritage makes barn and coast house conversions a real option for people seeking rustic living.
There are lots of pretty villages to explore near Sittingbourne with fantastic property options, including: Bapchild; Bobbing; Borden; Bredgar; Conyer; Hartlip; Iwade; Kemsley; Lower Halstow; Lynsted; Milsted; Milton Regis; Murston; Newington; Rodmersham; Tonge; Tunstall and Upchurch.
And despite Sittingbourne’s speedy links to London, property prices are still very competitive. In fact, the town proves better value than other Kent hotspots like Canterbury or Whitstable, with many families choosing to move to Sittingbourne and its surrounding villages from London and North Kent.
With train journeys from Sittingbourne to London St Pancras taking less than an hour by high speed, and just over an hour to London Victoria, the capital is incredibly easy to reach.
There’s also easy access to the A2, A249, M2 and M20 which makes it as simple to get to London as to the Kent coast.
There’s a good selection of highly regarded primary schools in the town, along with some excellent nurseries and childcare providers too.
The main secondary schools are Fulston Manor School, Sittingbourne Community College and The Westlands School – plus there are two grammar schools in the town itself – Highsted Grammar School (girls), and Borden Grammar schools (boys).
There are plenty of fun things to do in the town and surrounding areas. Keep fit and get the kids active at The Swallows Leisure Centre with its swimming pool, gym, fitness classes, sports hall and climbing wall.
Stroll along the pathways and estuary landscape of Milton Creek Country Park and appreciate its charming estuary landscape. Built on the site of a former landfill, it’s now 128 acres of meadow, scrub and aquatic habitats for important wildlife – plus there’s a natural play area to amuse little ones.
Hop aboard one of the area’s two heritage railways: Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway or the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway. Or discover the charm of the Isle of Sheppey. Over the Kingsferry Bridge you’ll find traditional seaside towns with a mix of sandy and shingle beaches.
Are you thinking of moving to Sittingbourne? At Harrisons Homes independent estate agent we pride ourselves on our local knowledge – and as we’re based in the heart of Sittingbourne we’re perfectly placed to talk to you about what makes this area so special. Call us on 01795 474848 or email hello@harrisonshomes.co.uk for a chat.
