Faversham is a pretty and historic Kentish market town that’s near stunning countryside as well as within easy reach of the coast.
It’s situated on the north Kent coast next to the Swale, a tidal channel of the Thames Estuary that separates mainland Kent from the Isle of Sheppey.
With a host of local amenities Faversham is growing in popularity every year – and as it’s just over an hour to London by train it has plenty to offer prospective buyers and renters.
Faversham offers a wide range of independent and shops and cafes, alongside a host of traditional public houses and restaurants to choose from. Several farm shops can be found on the outskirts of the town offering local fresh produce, such as Macknade and at Brogdale Farm, together with popular supermarkets. Faversham also prides itself on having the oldest market in Kent, selling local produce, arts and crafts, antiques, and vintage items.
The town centre boasts a charming Tudorbethan cinema showing all the latest films and the recreation ground is a great place to watch and play sports, including football, tennis, and bowls. There are also a couple of good quality golf clubs close by, Belmont and Boughton-under-Blean. Whilst Faversham Pools offers both indoor and heated outdoor pools for all the family.
Faversham is known as the oldest market town in Kent and has a diverse history that only adds to the town’s distinctive character.
There has been a settlement next to the ancient sea port of Faversham Creek since pre-Roman times. The area was inhabited by the Saxons and mentioned in the Domesday book as ‘Favreshant’ – the name being of Latin via Old English origin meaning ‘the metal-worker’s village’.
Its rich heritage means the town is home to around 500 listed buildings. One particular area, Abbey Street, is sometimes referred to as the country’s best-preserved medieval street and is the former site of Faversham Abbey, founded by King Stephen in 1148 – the Abbey was demolished in 1538 due to Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Faversham has been a hub of activity throughout its varied life – establishing itself as a centre for brewing, playing host to a bustling maritime port for over 500 years, and finding itself at the centre of the explosives industry between the 17th and early 20th century.
If you are considering a move to Faversham or the surrounding area, there’s a wide range of fantastic places for you to choose from. Take your pick from one of the new residential developments, popular Victorian terraces, larger Edwardian homes, or other character properties that surround Faversham.
There are lots of pretty villages to explore near Faversham with fantastic property options, particularly oast houses with large gardens and small farms with the potential to keep livestock. These include the popular Boughton-under-Blean, Selling, which has a station, and Oare which you will find two miles from Faversham on the estuary.
The town offers better value than other popular Kent hotspots like Canterbury or Whitstable, with Faversham attracting a diverse range of London commuters, young professionals, families, and those looking to retire to this charming area.
Faversham is connected to the key coastal areas of Thanet and Dover via its train station, and provides access to high-speed trains from Ebbsfleet to St Pancras meaning you can get to the capital in just over an hour.
Many bus routes are available to Canterbury and Maidstone.
There’s also easy access to the A2, A249, M2, and M20 making for a simple drive to London, and an easy day trip to the Kent coast.
Good quality schools are in abundance in Faversham, especially at primary level – well-respected primary schools include Ethelbert Road, Davington, Hernhill and Luddenham. High-quality childcare providers are also easy to come by.
The main secondary schools in the town are Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School and the popular Abbey School. Just outside of the town is Lorenden, a top-graded prep school with access to 40 acres of woodland, while King’s Canterbury, a co-ed day and boarding school, is a ten-minute drive away.
The ancient port of Faversham boasts a pretty medieval centre, a picturesque quayside, and the country’s oldest brewer – all adding to the variety of things to see and do in this charming market town.
In addition to its famous Charter market, Faversham is also home to specialist markets, meaning there is something for everyone. The Charter market takes the title of the oldest in the county and is held three times a week, showcasing stalls selling a range of local produce, and more. The bi-monthly ‘Best of Faversham’ market is a real treat for those wanting to sample the town’s very own food and beverage outlets and soak up the creativity from locally-made arts and crafts. An antiques and vintage market is also held each month boasting a range of unique pieces full of character.
For food and drink lovers, in addition to the local markets and farm shops, there’s plenty to tuck into at the multitude of independent cafes and much-loved restaurants – such as Read’s Restaurants and Rooms for fine dining or Possilipos for a waterside view. Faversham loves its beer and is home to a whole host of ancient inns including the UK’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, which was founded in 1698 and today gives tours around its site to those eager to know more about the ancient art of brewing. Faversham is also home to a number of local brewers including Mad Cat Brewery who brew Harrisons beer
For those wanting to keep fit and get the whole family active, Faversham Pools swimming centre and the recreation park offer fantastic ways to get moving and play sports. What’s more, the surrounding fruit farms and hop gardens, together with natural beauty spots such as Oare Marshes nature reserve and the Saxon Shore Way, are popular with bird watchers, and those wanting to stretch their legs in the Garden of England.
Brogdale Collections is a hidden gem located just outside of Faversham town and a one-stop-shop of things to see and do, including the UK’s National Fruit Collection which boasts the Nation Fruit Collection, largest collection of temperate fruit in the world! Row upon row of fruit trees make up its treasure trove of over 4,000 fruit varieties and sets the perfect scene for many events, festivals, and family days out across the year. The site is also home to shops offering local produce and a café where visitors can pick up a spot of lunch.
A little further out, nestled in the countryside a few miles from Faversham is the picturesque village of Hernhill. A beautiful setting for a stroll, you will be able take in the sights of the Norman church and village green, sample from its farm shops, and stop off at its well-loved 14th century pub, The Red Lion, for traditional English cuisine and to enjoy its pub garden and children’s play area.
Faversham’s former commercial port, Standard Quay, has been regenerated to make for a delightfully eclectic waterside hub of independent shops, cafes, and vintage and antique sellers – a great day out for all the family, or the perfect location for a stroll while soaking up the historic architecture and maritime charm.
Community spirit is strong in Faversham and contributes to a fun-packed events calendar across the year – including the Hop Festival, Faversham Transport Weekend, and the Literary Festival, to name a few.
Are you thinking of moving to Faversham? At Harrisons Homes independent estate agent, we pride ourselves on our local knowledge – we’d be pleased to talk to you about what makes Faversham so special. Call us on 01795 474848 or email hello@harrisonshomes.co.uk for a chat.
